(No common name)

FAMILY

Bodotriidae

TAXONOMY

Cyclaspis longicaudata Sars, 1865.

OTHER COMMON NAMES

None known.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

The carapace is nearly globose and is completely smooth. The free thoracic somites are quite small, and the abdomen is very long and narrow. The male has five pairs of pleopods.

DISTRIBUTION

Cold waters of the North Atlantic, northern Norway to northeastern United States at depths from 395 to 16,400 ft (120–5,000 m).

HABITAT

Cyclaspis longicaudata is found in sandy mud. The sand-sized particles in deep sea sediment are derived from foraminiferan and pteropod shells.

BEHAVIOR

Nothing is known. The morphological features suggest C. long-icaudata is not likely to spend much time swimming, except in the mature male stage.

FEEDING ECOLOGY AND DIET

Nothing is known.

REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY

Juveniles and females with young in the brood pouch have been found at almost any time of the year, so it is likely that at least some populations are reproductive throughout the year.

CONSERVATION STATUS

Not listed by the IUCN.

SIGNIFICANCE TO HUMANS

Cyclaspis longicaudata has been found in the stomachs of some deep-dwelling fishes.