Haustorius canadensis
This record describes Haustorius canadensis (species). Recorded family: Haustoriidae. Recorded order: Amphipoda.
Identification and Appearance
Easily identified by large size and overall appearance, at least in the southern New England portion of its range.
Wikipedia reference for Haustorius canadensis: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haustorius_canadensis.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Malacostraca
- Order
- Amphipoda (Amphipods)
- Suborder
- Gammaridea
- Family
- Haustoriidae
- Genus
- Haustorius
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Intertidally on sandy beaches
Geographic Range
Southern New England, SW Gulf of St. Lawrence, and Cape Breton Island
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Haustorius canadensis (Bousfield 1962)
About Amphipods: the wider group
Order-level background for Amphipoda, the group containing Haustorius canadensis. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Amphipoda includes ~10,000 described species of scuds, sand hoppers, and whale lice. While mostly aquatic, some species like sand hoppers (Talitrus saltator) are fully terrestrial, living on beaches above the tide line.
Ecological role of the group
Amphipods are critical detritivores in aquatic ecosystems, shredding leaf litter and recycling nutrients. Deep-sea amphipods have been found at the bottom of the Mariana Trench (10,994m), making them among the deepest-living animals on Earth.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Amphipods are standard test organisms in aquatic toxicology - Hyalella azteca is the EPA's primary freshwater sediment toxicity test species. They are also important food for fish in both freshwater and marine ecosystems.
Recorded sources for this group: EPA ecotoxicology, deep-sea biology, marine research. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Haustorius canadensis (4)
Photo credits: Contributed by Aaron Hunt
Frequently Asked Questions About Haustorius canadensis
What is Haustorius canadensis?
Haustorius canadensis is a species in the family Haustoriidae, within the order Amphipoda.
How big is Haustorius canadensis?
To 18mm
How do you identify Haustorius canadensis?
Easily identified by large size and overall appearance, at least in the southern New England portion of its range.
Where is Haustorius canadensis found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Intertidally on sandy beaches |
| Range | Southern New England, SW Gulf of St. Lawrence, and Cape Breton Island |