Amphipoda is an order of malacostracan crustaceans characterized by sessile eyes and the absence of a carapace, comprising more than 10,700 species that inhabit nearly all aquatic environments, from freshwater to ocean depths, along with some terrestrial habitats. Most amphipods are marine, though about one-fifth live in freshwater and other non-marine settings, including the family Talitridae's terrestrial landhoppers. They range from less than one millimeter to about 35 centimeters in length and function mainly as detritivores or scavengers within aquatic food webs.
Facts
Classification
DietDetritivore or Scavenger 1 System (Realm) System (Realm) System (Realm) Living or Extinct Identification
Distinguishing AppearanceSessile eyes, no carapace, and a thorax and abdomen that are typically laterally compressed. 1 Comparison
CITES Appendix Scientific Name Connections
Child Taxon Of
Source Wikidata: Amphipod
In Biome
Source Amphipoda (Wikipedia)
In Ecosystem
Source Amphipoda (Wikipedia)
Source Amphipoda (Wikipedia)
Source Amphipoda (Wikipedia)
In the Other Atlases
Found In
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Sources
1. Amphipoda (Wikipedia)
WikipediaIntroduction
Amphipoda () is an order of malacostracan crustaceans characterized by sessile eyes and the absence of a carapace.
Anatomy section
The thorax and abdomen are usually quite distinct and bear different kinds of legs; they are typically laterally compressed.
system (entity description states it plainly, diet)
They range from less than one millimeter to about 35 centimeters in length and function mainly as detritivores or scavengers within aquatic food webs.
In Biome: Hadal Zone, Ecology section
They are found in almost all aquatic environments, from fresh water to water with twice the salinity of sea water and even in the Challenger Deep, the deepest known point in the ocean.
In Ecosystem: Lake Baikal, Ecology
Notably rich endemic amphipod faunas are found in the ancient Lake Baikal and waters of the Caspian Sea basin, with over 350 species inhabiting Lake Baikal.
In Ecosystem: Mediterranean Basin, Ecology
Around 750 species in 160 genera and 30 families are troglobitic and live in caves, and are found in almost all suitable habitats, but with their centres of diversity in the Mediterranean Basin, southeastern North America and the Caribbean.
In Ecosystem: Caspian Sea, Ecology
Notably rich endemic amphipod faunas are found in the ancient Lake Baikal and waters of the Caspian Sea basin, with over 350 species inhabiting Lake Baikal.
View the Source 2. GBIF Species API
3. Wikidata (taxon extant/extinct status)
Wikimedia Foundation / Wikidata contributorsQ193418, descriptionView the Source 4. UNEP-WCMC Species+ database (CITES Secretariat): Species+: Animalia
UNEP-WCMC Species+ database (CITES Secretariat)Species+ taxon_concepts, id 23Quote, Species+ taxon_concepts, id 23
"cites_listing":"I/II/III/NC","eu_listing":"A/B/C/D/NC","higher_taxa":{"kingdom":"Animalia","phylum":null,"class":null,"order":null,"family":null},"synonyms":[],"common_names":[{"name":"Animals","language":"EN"},{"name":"Fauna","language":"EN"},{"name":"Animaux","language":"FR"}],"cites_listings":[]
View the Source Wikidata: Amphipod
- Wikidata Q193418, class allow-list match (w-wdresolver-0926)
- Child Taxon Of: Malacostraca, Wikidata parent-taxon (P171) chain
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