Phronima

Phronima
Specimens of Phronima sedentaria
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Malacostraca
Order: Amphipoda
Suborder: Hyperiidea
Family: Phronimidae
Genus: Phronima
Latreille, 1802
Type species
Cancer sedentarius
Forsskål, 1775
Photnima Sedentaria Offspring

Phronima is a genus of small, deep sea hyperiid amphipods of the family Phronimidae. It is found throughout the world's oceans, except in polar regions.[1] Phronima species live in the pelagic zone of the deep ocean. Their bodies are semitransparent. Although commonly known as parasites, they are more technically correctly called parasitoids.[2] Instead of constantly feeding on a live host, females attack salps, using their mouths and claws to eat the animal and hollow out its gelatinous shell.[3] Phronima females then enter the barrel and lay their eggs inside, then propel the barrel through the water as the larvae develop, providing them with fresh food and water.[3]

It is sometimes thought to be an inspiration for the fictional xenomorphs.[4][5]

Phronima species possess unique compound eyes adapted to detect blue-green wavelengths of light, which are prominent in the bioluminescent flashes of potential prey and predators. These specialized visual adaptations aid Phronima in navigating the dim mid-ocean environment, where bioluminescence serves as an important ecological signal

  1. ^ James K. Lowry (2003). "Phronimidae". Peracarida : Amphipoda, Cumacea, Mysidacea. Volume 2, Part 2 of Crustacea: Malacostraca in Zoological catalogue of Australia. CSIRO Publishing. pp. 339–344. ISBN 978-0-643-06902-2.
  2. ^ Katie O'Dwyer (February 3, 2014). "Meet Phronima, The Barrel-Riding Parasite That Inspired The Movie Alien". Live Science.
  3. ^ a b Damond Benningfield (June 8, 2008). "Phronima". Science and the Sea. University of Texas Marine Science Institute. Retrieved October 11, 2010.
  4. ^ Leung, Tommy (2014-01-20). "Parasite of the Day: Phronima sp". Parasite of the Day. Retrieved 2024-07-06.
  5. ^ Johnsen, Sönke (2000). "Transparent Animals". Scientific American. 282 (2): 80–89. ISSN 0036-8733. JSTOR 26058604.