Psalidopodoidea
A superfamily of shrimp with three deep-sea species.
Psalidopodoidea is a superfamily of marine shrimp consisting of one family, Psalidopodidae, and one genus, *Psalidopus*. The group includes just three species: one in the western Atlantic, and two in the Indo-Pacific.
*Psalidopus barbouri* lives on steep, soft muddy or sandy-mud slopes off Florida, the Bahamas, the Gulf of Mexico, and parts of the Caribbean, possibly reaching Suriname. It is found at depths of 400–800 m, where water temperatures range from 6.1 to 10.0 °C. Adults have a carapace length of 13–32 mm, and the total body length can be up to 5.5 times the carapace length.
*Psalidopus huxleyi* inhabits steep slopes of various sediment types across the Indian Ocean—including the Laccadive Sea, off southern India, the Andaman Sea, and the Timor Sea—as well as the western Pacific from southern Japan to the Philippines, the Sulu Sea, and the Celebes Sea. It occurs at depths of 500–100 m, with temperatures between 5.9 and 13.6 °C. Its carapace length is 10–30 mm.
*Psalidopus tosaensis* lives at a much greater depth, around 2,800 m, and in colder water—1.6 °C—than the other two species. Though geographically closer to *P. huxleyi*, it appears more closely related to *P. barbouri*.
Quick Facts
- Grandparent Authority
- Wood-Mason, 1892
- Taxon
- Psalidopus
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Psalidopodoidea is a superfamily erected for the genus Psalidopus, which is placed in its own family, Psalidopodidae. The superfamily comprises three species: Psalidopus barbouri in the western Atlantic Ocean, and Psalidopus huxleyi and Psalidopus tosaensis in the Indo-Pacific. Psalidopus barbouri occurs on continental and insular slopes from Florida, the Bahamas and the Gulf of Mexico to parts of the Caribbean Sea, possibly extending as far south as Suriname. It lives on steeply sloping soft muddy bottoms at depths of 400–800 m, with temperatures between 6.1 and 10.0 °C. Adults have a carapace length of 13–32 mm, and total length up to 5.5 times the carapace length. Psalidopus huxleyi occurs across the Indian Ocean and western Pacific Ocean, on steeply sloping bottoms of various compositions at depths of 500–100 m, with temperatures from 5.9 to 13.6 °C. Its carapace length is 10–30 mm. Psalidopus tosaensis lives at greater depth (about 2800 m) and lower temperature (1.6 °C) than the other two species. Although geographically closer to P. huxleyi, it appears more closely related to P. barbouri.
Reader's Guide
The superfamily Psalidopodoidea is significant as a distinct taxonomic grouping containing only one genus and three species, highlighting the evolutionary isolation of these deep-sea shrimp. The article describes their distribution across the western Atlantic and Indo-Pacific, with each species occupying specific depth and temperature ranges. Psalidopus barbouri is found on soft muddy bottoms in the Atlantic, while Psalidopus huxleyi inhabits various bottom types in the Indian and western Pacific Oceans. Psalidopus tosaensis is notable for its extreme depth (about 2800 m) and low temperature (1.6 °C), and despite being geographically closer to P. huxleyi, it is more closely related to P. barbouri. The legacy of Psalidopodoidea lies in its representation of deep-sea biodiversity and the ecological specialization of its species, each adapted to distinct environmental conditions. The article does not provide any further information on their significance or legacy beyond these facts.
Did You Know?
- Psalidopodoidea contains only one family, Psalidopodidae, and one genus, Psalidopus.
- Psalidopus tosaensis lives at a depth of about 2800 m and a temperature of 1.6 °C.
- Psalidopus barbouri has a total length up to 5.5 times its carapace length.
- Although Psalidopus tosaensis is geographically closer to Psalidopus huxleyi, it appears more closely related to Psalidopus barbouri.
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