Caprella mutica

Japanese skeleton shrimp Caprella mutica
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Malacostraca
Order:	Amphipoda
Family:	Caprellidae
Genus:	Caprella
Species:	C. mutica
Binomial name
Caprella mutica Schurin, 1935
Native range of C. mutica Circles are areas where specimens have been confirmed: 1: Peter the Great Gulf 2: Posyet Bay 3: Olarovsky Cape 4: Signalny Cape 5: Sea of Okhotsk 6: Kunashir 7: Shikotan 8: Akkeshi Bay[1]
Synonyms[2][3]
Caprella macho Platvoet et al., 1995 Caprella acanthogaster humboldtiensis Martin, 1977

Caprella mutica, commonly known as the Japanese skeleton shrimp, is a species of skeleton shrimp. They are relatively large caprellids, reaching a maximum length of 50 mm (2.0 in). They are sexually dimorphic, with the males usually being much larger than the females. They are characterized by their "hairy" first and second thoracic segments and the rows of spines on their bodies. Body color ranges from green to red to blue, depending on the environment. They are omnivorous highly adaptable opportunistic feeders. In turn, they provide a valuable food source for fish, crabs, and other larger predators. They are usually found in dense colonies attached to submerged man-made structures, floating seaweed, and other organisms.

C. mutica are native to shallow protected bodies of water in the Sea of Japan. In as little as 40 years, they have become an invasive species in the North Atlantic, North Pacific, and along the coasts of New Zealand. They are believed to have been accidentally introduced to these areas through the global maritime traffic and aquaculture. Outside of their native range, C. mutica are often exclusively synanthropic, being found in large numbers in and around areas of human activity. Their ecological and economic impact as an invasive species is unknown, but they pose a serious threat to native populations of skeleton shrimp in the affected areas.