| Phronima | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Crustacea |
| Class: | Malacostraca |
| Order: | Amphipoda |
| Suborder: | Hyperiidea |
| Superfamily: | Phronimoidea |
| Family: | Phronimidae |
| Genus: | Phronima Latreille, 1802 |
| Type species | |
| Cancer sedentarius Forsskål, 1775 |
|
Phronima is a small, deep sea hyperiid amphipod of the family Phronimidae. It is found throughout the world's oceans, except in polar regions.[1] The body of Phronima is transparent. Females attack salps, using their mouth and claws to eat the animal and hollow out its gelatinous shell.[2] She then enters the barrel and lays her eggs inside. She then propels the barrel through the water as the larvae develop, providing them with fresh food and water.[2]
The genus Phronima contains the following species:[3]