106 



U.S. NATIONAL MUSEUM BULLETIN 2 78 



Figure 54. — Distribution records of Aeginella spinosa, Aeginina longicornis, Phtisica antil- 

 lensis, Phtisica marina, and Proaeginina norvegica in the western North Atlantic. 



Mayer (1903, p. 133) expresses the opinion that CaprelHdae are 

 quite rare in the shallow water of the West Indies. Contrary to this 

 opinion, 14 species of caprellids are reported from the Caribbean in 

 this paper. Most of the caprellids of the area are fewer in number of 

 individuals and smaller than those of the northern provinces. This 

 might explain why so few species have previously been reported 

 from the Caribbean. 



The caprellids are remarkably widespread in their distribution. 

 Many species are almost cosmopolitan, a fact which seems anomalous 

 in view of their limited swimming ability and the absence of a plank- 

 tonic larval stage. Mayer (1SS2, p. 90; 1890, p. 101; 1903, p. 134) 

 attributes this wide distribution to transportation on ship bottoms 

 and floating objects. Several species are associated with floating 

 objects and plants and some, as Caprella andreae, appear to be limited 



