CRUSTACEA 209 



Meganyctiphanes norvegica Sars 



A small shrimp-like form, frequently luminous, 

 that forms an important part of the plankton of the 

 North Atlantic. The only New Jersey records are 

 from a considerable distance off shore. The species 

 may occur at times in the coastal waters of the state. 



AMPHIPODA 



This group comprises mostly small, and usually 

 laterally compressed crustaceans, covered with a 

 shiny, segmented cuticle. There are usually seven 

 thoracic legs, and seven abdominal appendages. 

 The first three abdominal appendages are the plio- 

 pods or sircurmerets, the next three the uropods, 

 and the last the telson, which is sometimes fused 

 with the last abdominal segment, Gills or branchial 

 vesicles are usually present on the inside base of 

 the last six legs. The various appendages are im- 

 portant in the differentiation of the various species. 

 While most species, including all the Xew Jersey 

 forms, rarely exceed an inch or two in length, there 

 are a few known from the deeper ocean waters that 

 reach a length of about 5% inches. 



A few Amphipods hop about on the sandy 

 beaches, but by far the greater number live in tide 

 pools, the shallow water close to shore, and in the 

 off-shore waters of the ocean. 



The following are the most conspicuous species 

 to be found in our region. 





