Skeleton Shrimp Use 18 Appendages to Feed, Fight and ... Frolic | Deep Look

On first impression, skeleton shrimp anatomy is confusing. These crustaceans use a funky assortment of body parts to move around like inchworms, feed on bits of sea garbage, stage boxing matches, and make lots of clingy babies.
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DEEP LOOK is a ultra-HD (4K) short video series created by KQED San Francisco and presented by PBS Digital Studios. See the unseen at the very edge of our visible world. Explore big scientific mysteries by going incredibly small.
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The striking bodies of skeleton shrimp are gangly and ridiculously elongated. These omnivores constantly sieve food particles or small organisms from the water by waving their bodies back and forth, using comb-like filters on their shorter antennae. Most of the time, they are detritivores, helping break down dead organic matter further into nutrients for smaller animals. They also play another important ecological role in the food chain as tasty morsels for fish and crabs.
Males are much larger than females and frequently fight other males for access to mates. Each male has two pairs of claws called gnathopods, the larger of which are used to box each other. Gnathopods can be lethal, and can be used to split an opponent in half. Researchers are investigating whether or not some skeleton shrimp species deliver venom in these fights through tiny pores in the tips of the claws.
Females sometimes kill the males after mating, using their gnathopods. Females will then aggressively guard their brood pouches, which can contain hundreds of fertilized eggs. Hatchlings resemble miniature adults, and often cling to their parents after hatching. They mature rapidly, molting as often as once every week. Maturity can take a few weeks to months, depending on environmental conditions.
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--- Where do skeleton shrimp live?
Skeleton shrimp live only in saltwater, and are found in oceans worldwide, usually near coastlines.
--- Are skeleton shrimp invasive species?
Some species of skeleton shrimp, like the Japanese skeleton shrimp (Caprella mutica), are considered invasive species in non-native waters, but so far, researchers have not discovered any significant negative (or positive) effect from their presence in the ecosystems they invade. One possible effect could be that an invasive species of skeleton shrimp (if it is larger like the Japanese skeleton shrimp) may displace a smaller native species of skeleton shrimp.
--- Do skeleton shrimp camouflage themselves?
The tiny, slender, elongated bodies of skeleton shrimp help them blend in with whatever they are grabbing on to - things like algae, seagrass, or hydroids.
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---+ Find additional resources and a transcript on KQED Science:
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#skeletonshrimp #iamgroot #deeplook

[@downingbots]

These shrimps look like what I would create in the Spore game when I'm lazy: a thin tube with a bunch of technically useful appendages

[@junminh5793]

what is spore game?

[@tend0X]

@@junminh5793 it’s a game where you make an alien and you try to evolve it to take over galaxies

[@Nuts2Big]

Wow i almost forgot that game existed and i watched multiple youtubers play it lol

[@lwkey2452]

Woah I didn't know people still play that game

[@Eddierockification]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who remembers Spore, I still play it every once and a while

[@graphite2786]

About 4 years ago we had an absolute plague of these at a dock where we dive. The mooring ropes were literally writhing and pulsing with millions of skeleton shrimp. It was amazing and disturbing at the same time!

[@KQEDDeepLook]

Whoah!

[@graphite2786]

@@KQEDDeepLook they may have been Caprella mutica, an invasive species. But the amazing thing was when we went for a night dive, we saw at least 50 seahorse munching into them! Of course I didn't bring my camera.....The following year we went back, with macro lenses, strobes, the works ----no Caprella. Not one. sigh

[@hiddenguy67]

@@graphite2786 ok

[@samhaines8228]

Fascinating! (and creepy) Figures though: these encounters arise when you least expect, but are seldom found when sought after.

[@noelalam9731]

I have been watching this channel since high school. I’m 25 and I still get just as hyped up when you guys post content. Never stop!❤️

[@KQEDDeepLook]

Nice! You just made our day, Noel :) #inspo

[@MrH2O1998]

Words cannot describe how much I appreciate this channel and everyone involved.

[@KQEDDeepLook]

Thank you Cerolean!

[@charlie-ts6mz]

@@KQEDDeepLook Thank you Deep Look!

[@mysterious7215]

@@KQEDDeepLook thank you deep look 💝

[@peglin5117]

@@KQEDDeepLook Thank you Deep Looks!

[@judicatorhurayth1927]

Nice medal pfp

[@varunk6633]

I simply cannot neglect when i see notifications from this channel.

[@NoemiOntiveros-j4p]

Hey that rude

[@Vivian-eo3qc]

it's as shrimple as that

[@makaylakraus1897]

I absolutely love how close up you can get to these tiny guys to show us all what's going on in the world that we might not see otherwise!! These guys are so cool!

[@sanjit.sahu_284]

This channel is the best. It helped me score 100% in my Biology exam. Love the team!! ❤️

[@minty_macaron]

Congrats on your exam!

[@KQEDDeepLook]

Amazing!

[@shyankakshar842]

@@minty_macaron to do it

[@UdahamulleNdarathanaHimi]

Congratulations from Sri Lanka.

[@sanjit.sahu_284]

@@KQEDDeepLook Thanks!!!

[@realsalu634]

When a swiss army knife gains life

[@hiddenguy67]

Sus

[@realsalu634]

@@hiddenguy67 Fun fact: the scientific name of pigs has Sus on It

[@hiddenguy67]

@@realsalu634 yes am know is susss

[@carto4028]

I persuing a career in permaculture farming and while i may never encounter skeleton shrimp on my farm, to learn about a lifeform that i know nothing about never ceases to facinate me. Earth really is the most intresting planet this side of the milky way.

[@TheJokzer]

3:45 "They are Detroitovores. Which is a fancy way of saying they eat little bits of dead stuff" Sounds accurate

[@ahldrenebaes1820]

I will always appreciate living organisms❤️❤️

[@josemariedomeng3251]

The quality that this channel gives to us is amazing The way they explain it and the scenes they recorded is always spot on Thank you.

[@BlueKyuubi64]

I've never heard of these shrimp before and I watch loads of marine documentaries. Thank you for this video. What cool creatures

[@KQEDDeepLook]

Our pleasure!

[@erikkamarababol5037]

One of the best things why I so loved this channel because it shows more about science and I'm a science fanatic. Thank you so much #DeepLook keep up the good work and more power!! 👏👏👏😘😘😘😘😘

[@KQEDDeepLook]

Our pleasure Erikka!

[@markjade3587]

this is why i love this channel, been following it for years, ive never even knew this creature existed, this is literally first time hearing or even knowing their existance, and thanks to them, im already familiar with what this appendage do, damn..... im seriously in awe of finding out about this creature... oh my gosh, i love it so much!!!

[@bendykirby4828]

They swim like a drunk person in a sleeping bag trying to answer the doorbell.

[@mahi7290]

I have watched almost every video of this channel and I can see the hardwork, you've got a new subscriber🙌🏻🤗

[@burnished]

These guys are dangerously cute, I wish I could find and watch them myself.

[@becausehelivees4672]

these videos teach us about the imoprtance of sea water ecology or sea bed ecology. they help us understand the importance of always keeping into account the safetiness of chemical balance of these bodies of water for these little ones. thanks for giving us not only the knowledge but moreso the awareness. God bless.

[@blardomodica]

Seriously, the last one bowing repeatedly... like "thank you for your appreciation"!

[@KQEDDeepLook]

It did!

[@YRO.]

Eren? Is that you?

[@muskulpeasent]

It's like putting every kind of appendages on your Spore animal.

[@KQEDDeepLook]

Not wrong.

[@Hyperion-5744]

There's also the terrible claw lobster that lives in the deep sea.

[@crackedemerald4930]

They look like a Lego set of a stickbug and a mantis shrimp got built together.

[@rockyrivermushrooms529]

That looks like something I would build in spore.

[@GeolyteGM]

4:14 T-Posing while saying Among Us

[@jpchan3866]

The content is good as always! I wonder, do they eat mosquito eggs? I hope they do so.

[@misterkoneko2389]

4:17 she said among us!!

[@nightshadehelis9821]

I seriously love this channel.

[@Azguella]

God seeing like 30 of them in one place wiggling is unnerving

[@warduxe]

literally just the common spore creation

[@KaKyu_37362]

The among us word hit different 4:17

[@shaunthomas94]

Awesome vid keep up the good work and making me smile!💙💜

[@KQEDDeepLook]

Thank you! Will do Shaun!

[@shaunthomas94]

@@KQEDDeepLook ❤

[@ScrumptiousSpade]

“Man I’m Dead” -that one skeleton

[@denniscuesta7009]

Me dumping the water thinking they are mosquito larva

[@reionj8816]

They are so small yet aggressive hahaha hah thanks for the info deep look😁👍🏻

[@KQEDDeepLook]

Thanks for watching!

[@sarahlouise7163]

🤣 i don’t think i’ve ever laughed so much whilst watching a wildlife documentary

[@blueberrychocolate4238]

“They’re always looking for a fight” Inosuke is that you?!!

[@mira2420]

I can't go on my day without watching Deep look videos , thanks a lot u bring me so much happiness

[@aaronj2913]

A nano tank with a colony of these guys would be super cool

[@80sbrunnette]

Maybe they aren’t trying to fight each other… maybe they are trying to tickle each other 🤣

[@kaptinkrybaby6741]

This music was absolutly perfect!

[@ranipawar__]

I always eagerly wait for your videos 🤩😁

[@KQEDDeepLook]

Thank you so much Rani😀

[@dianrahmawati583]

Wow, i'm only watching it today, but i've been waiting for it ever since deep look announced will upload this video, and i am so satisfied, thank you deep look. Oyeah i think they're like looper caterpillars 😄

[@KQEDDeepLook]

Thank you!

[@mrcoolxoxo7007]

Someone should imitate these shrimp swimming and post it. Could you imagine some dude swimming like that. LOL.

[@YASSERSTUDIO]

This channel it's a treasure for the resident on planet earth

[@XC11301991]

It's like a living Swiss army knife.

[@callystarizka-tata7892]

I always love skeleton shrimps. Now episode is live:)

[@JessHull]

I used to have a small colony of these that hitch hiked on some live rock in my reef tank. They used fight each other for the ideal spot in the current. They eventually died off one by one over about 6 months. Wish I still had them..

[@daikonshii9875]

Yessss i missed this voice!

[@jhunareddy2517]

They are like little skeletons dancing around doing nothing

[@Herowebcomics]

Wow! These shrimp are gangster! Almost as much as pistol and mantis shrimp!

[@phyzarel1845]

Imagine looking that obscene trying to swim lmao

[@dog9660]

First time I saw these things was in a fish tank/aquarium in the Vancouver airport. They really creep me out for some reason even though I'm completely fin with basically any other sort of bug/insect type thing.

[@Nah2998]

I love how you guys show animals I have never even heard of before! :)

[@rhondahuggins9542]

Its always the tiniest that are the most pugnacious!! Deep Look crew so worthy and them some of all accolades!💚

[@DIOsNotDead]

"spooky, scary skeletons send shivers down your spine"

[@DevjKaiser]

They look like underwater necromorphs 😂

[@trenaebowers1968]

Their body at first looks confusing. There's no shortage of Limbs Centipedes" am I am I a joke to you

[@drdinosaur2870]

I wouldn't know half about the bugs I know with out this channel

[@thanos5416]

I always used to see ur videos in 720 .....bcoz thats the speciality of ur videos..hats off to u🤗from India

[@despressod]

This channel is on par with BBC nature documentaries if not better! Can't skip a notification unnoticed

[@bappojujubes981]

I'm waiting for a "get skeleton shrimp'd" meme

[@pumpkinhills7611]

They look so cute and silly while they swim.. Wobble? around

[@shikigami0705]

Im so glad i found this channel

[@KQEDDeepLook]

Welcome!

[@sidebazooka6900]

These would be the perfect candidates for being turned into Pokemon Like a Ghost / Fighting (Skeleton fighter), Bug / Water, Water / Fighting or Bug / Fighting

[@dilibau]

LOL the dance at the end 🤣 😂 💀

[@Warnole]

1:48 me and my sister fighting over the remote be like:

[@skyeli5323]

These shrimps look kinda like half skeleton half shrimp mixed together

[@Wunkerful]

4:13 wacky inflatable arm flailing tube man!

[@allentoyokawa9068]

Everything have a place in life, except for mosquitoes of course

[@ramztrl]

Apart from the video, the narrator is absolutely beautiful

[@1.4142]

At a distance they almost look like stick bugs

[@anglure3617]

I looove skeleton shrimp, it's so entertaining that they have all those different limbs

[@oneshotme]

Enjoyed your video and I gave it a Thumbs Up

[@Shiro_Kuma432]

Confusing 1st impression indeed.. they look like the carnivorous caterpillar

[@bingo6073]

These spooky scary skeletons send shivers down my spine

[@footfault1941]

Never ever seen a thing like this! Eerie & at the same time fascinating! A great footage more than usual. Many thanks!

[@hugonegrete6325]

Kids'll be like "She said among us!!!!!!!!!!"

[@eagleray977]

4:13 PESKY AND PECULIAR WHAT?!?!

[@zachskellington1]

Another great video, love learning new stuff from you all!

[@KQEDDeepLook]

Thanks!

[@ethan7465]

love the use of ellipses in the title, lol

[@anthonywhite6784]

4:14 When someone threatens to take my cookies

[@Avabees]

Absolutely wild. Thought i knew a fair bit about amphipods! Ty for the footage

[@ModWalker]

Welp, I now know where they came up with the monsters in Deadspace...

[@jojoabellar2536]

Finally. My spirit animal.

[@daphenomenalz4100]

That dance in the last was cute

[@cow_ears2748]

awsome vid guys, always appreciated

[@dubsar]

I am not so eager to find intelligent alien life anymore.

[@Gwynncore]

The marine science people should have named this one the Mantis Shrimp.

[@petarzhotev7512]

4:17 AMOGUS

[@nicolesaintdenis]

This was awesome! And this was from their Alameda beach trip 💜💜

[@ammaaralam2001]

They look like skeleton of a caterpillar !

[@Hcheeza]

Look at them! They actually do a nice party, eating, grouping, dancing, playing, flexing and the most importantly at the party Fighting for a women 🤣😂

[@v1ncecommunist274]

Holy Guacamole That Scary Little Shrimp

[@tsm_chunkythanosclips]

Just in time for Halloween too 😂😂

[@samlarson9120]

I have always had a soft spot for caprellids.

[@BossBassim]

These shrimps are SCAARRRRYY! 🤪

[@thor.wfalmeida]

4:17 sus

[@mariuskaesser]

I would love 18 appendages. Think of all the juggling you could do.