Description: This caprellid has a smooth body and head. The rostrum is clearly visible, differentiated from the head. Pereopods 3 and 4 are poorly developed or absent but the gills, although smaller than those in Caprella andreae, are conspicuous. They are elongated and oval in shape. Pereopod 5 is not reduced (as in Pariambus typicus) but is well developed with 7 articles.

Habitat: Unknown.

Distribution: Currently only recorded from SW coast of Britain, and records are relatively rare. The type locality is Devon, England.

Similar Species: Could be confused with other caprellids, especially Caprella andreae but in that species the gills are large and circular in shape, and the base of antenna 1 is robust rather than slender.

Key Identification Features:

• Smooth body and head, with rostrum differentiated.
• Base of antenna 1 slender.
• Small, oval gills.
• Pereopod 5 well developed.

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

iNaturalist: Caprella penantis at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

GBIF data for Caprella penantis

WoRMS: Caprella penantis at World Register of Marine Species. Accepted name: Caprella penantis Leach, 1814. AphiaID: 101846.

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