Description: This caprellid has a smooth body and head. The rostrum is not clearly differentiated from the head. The 3rd segment on antenna 1 is less than half the length of the 2nd segment. There are swimming setae (hairs) on antenna 2. The first set of gnathopods are covered in short bristles and hairs, the second set also have some hairs. Pereopods 2 and 3 are absent, or very poorly developed. Pereopod 5 is well developed, with 7 articles.

Habitat: Unknown. Type specimens were from an estuary in Salcombe.

Distribution: A few scattered records around Britain and Ireland, so far none from the east coast of Britain.

Similar Species: Could be confused with other caprellids; especially Caprella equilibra but close inspection of the 3rd segment of antenna 1 should help distinguish between the two.

Key Identification Features:

• • Smooth head and body. Rostrum not clearly differentiated from head.
• Swimming setae on antenna 2.
• Gnathopods covered in short bristles or hairs.
• 3rd segment on antenna 1less than half the length of segment 2.

Distribution Map from NBN: Caprella fretensis at National Biodiversity Network mapping facility, data for UK.

iNaturalist: Caprella fretensis at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

GBIF data for Caprella fretensis

WoRMS: Caprella fretensis at World Register of Marine Species. Accepted name: Caprella fretensis Stebbing, 1878. AphiaID: 101833.

Classification: Biota; Animalia; Arthropoda; Crustacea; Multicrustacea; Malacostraca; Eumalacostraca; Peracarida; Amphipoda; Senticaudata; Corophiida; Caprellidira; Caprelloidea; Caprellidae; Caprellinae; Caprella