CRUSTACEA : Amphipoda : CaprellidaeCRABS, SHRIMPS AND LOBSTERS

Caprella andreae Mayer, 1890


Description: This caprellid has a smooth body and head and is 7-12 mm in size. The rostrum is clearly visible, differentiated from the head. The base of antenna 1 is particularly robust in this species. Pereopods 3 and 4 are poorly developed or absent but the gills are very large and rounded, making them conspicuous, and are circular in shape. Pereopod 5 is not reduced (as in Pariambus typicus), but is well developed with 7 articles.

Habitat: Unknown.

Distribution: No records from Britain or Ireland on public databases at present but some experts believe it to be present.

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

Key Identification Features:

  • Smooth body and head, with rostrum differentiated.
  • Base of antenna 1 robust.
  • Large, circular gills.
  • Pereopod 5 well developed.

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

iNaturalist: Caprella andreae at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

WoRMS: Caprella andreae at World Register of Marine Species.

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 Picton, B.E., Keatley, L. & Morrow, C.C. (2026). Caprella andreae. Mayer, 1890. [In] Encyclopedia of Marine Life of Britain and Ireland.
https://habitas.org/mbdp/species.php?item=S10725. Accessed on 2026-11-01