Macromaxillocaris [SEP] parent taxon
Macromaxillocaris
Macromaxillocaris bahamaensis is a species of stenopodidean shrimp, the only species in the family Macromaxillocarididae. It is a troglobite, known only from an anchialine pool in a cave in the Bahamas. It differs from other stenopodideans by the enlargement of its third maxilliped.
Description.
The holotype of "M. bahamaensis" has a total length (TL) of (carapace length, CL, ); the paratype is smaller at TL , CL . In common with other troglobitic species, the body lacks pigments, and the
eyes are vestigial. Like other stenopodideans, "Macromaxillocaris" has chelae (claws) on the first three pairs of pereiopods (walking legs); it differs from them by the size of the third maxilliped, which is greatly enlarged in "Macromaxillocaris", and is the strongest of all the animal's appendages.
Distribution and habitat.
"Macromaxillocaris bahamaensis" is the first species discovered among the Stenopodidea to be adapted to a troglobitic lifestyle. It was found in an anchialine pool in Oven Rock Cave on Great Guana