Hemisquillidae Family of Mantis Shrimp
One Mantis Shrimp of the Hemisquillidae Family can be found in this website:
Peacock Mantis Shrimp, Hemisquilla californiensis. A representative of the Hemisquillidae Family of Mantis Shrimp.
Phylogeny: Hemisquillid Mantis Shrimp of the Hemisquillidae Family are in the phylum Arthropoda. They are in the subphylum Crustacea, the superclass Multicrustacea, the class Malacostraca, the subclass Hoplocarida, the order Stomatopoda, the suborder Unipeltata, and the superfamily Gonodactyloidea. The Hemisquillidae Family is one seven families in this superfamily. The Hemisquillidae Family is small, containing only one genus and four species. Mantis Shrimp Stomatopods are separated into two categories based on the second pair of thoracic appendages – Spearers and Smashers. Spearers have barbed appendages that they use to spear soft prey such as fish. Smashers have a thickened portion at the “elbow” of the appendage and they strike hard shelled prey with a force equal to that of a small caliber bullet. Hemisquillidae Mantis Shrimp are smashers. The name Hemisquillidae comes from a combination of Greek and Latin words that means “half shrimp”. This refers to their less advanced evolutionary stage compared to other shrimps.
Morphology: Mantis Shrimps are named for the resemblance of their “arms” and stalked eyes to those of Praying Mantis insects. Hemisquillid Mantis Shrimp have 5 head segments, 8 thoracic segments, and 6 abdominal segments. The head and thorax are combined as a cephalothorax. The head includes a pair of antennae, a pair of antennules, and mouth parts. These animals have stomachs with 2 chambers. Four pairs of the thoracic appendages are subchelate (pincer-like) and are used for handling food and for burrowing. The last three pairs are used for walking. The uropods and telson comprise the tail fan. Some species have the ability to generate a fluorescent display that is used to signal others of their kind, and, perhaps, other species. They have eyes that are among the most complex in the animal kingdom that can see the full range of visible light colors, as well as ultraviolet and polarized light. The Stomatopods have 15 classes of photoreceptors; humans have four classes. Hemisquillid Mantis Shrimp range in size from 1 cm (0.4 inches) to 48 cm (18 inches) in length.
Distribution: Hemisquillid Mantis Shrimp reside in “U”-shaped burrows in soft-substrates, or under rocks on soft substrates. Most live in shallow waters, but some are found at depths exceeding 475 m (1,558 feet). Hemisquillid Mantis Shrimp have a limited distribution, being found only in the Eastern Pacific and Australia. Only one species is found in Mexican waters.
Reproduction: Hemisquillid Mantis Shrimp are gonochoric (either male or female for life). They reproduce sexually, with internal fertilization. Females carry the fertilized eggs on their front appendages (maxillipeds) inside their burrows, keeping them clean and oxygenated. The eggs hatch into a planktonic larvae before they settle to the bottom and metamorphose into their adult form. While mating and brooding the males and females share a burrow. They frequently cap the top of the burrow during this time, to prevent predation. The males assist the females by bringing them food. The females can produce tens of thousands of eggs. Some species of Hemisquillid Mantis Shrimps are monogamous, sharing the same burrow with their partner for more than twenty years.
Ecosystems Role: Hemisquillid Mantis Shrimp may be nocturnal or diurnal and feed on cnidarians, crustaceans, fish, and mollusks. The force of their attacks break the shells and usually kills their prey instantly. The speed at which stomatopods move this second appendage is among the fastest movement of any animal, often completing the action in five to eight milliseconds. In turn they are preyed upon by by fish and octopus.