Hyalella azteca
This record describes Hyalella azteca (species). Recorded family: Hyalellidae. Recorded order: Amphipoda.
Identification and Appearance
Hyalella azteca is a widespread and abundant species of amphipod crustacean in North America. It reaches 3–8 mm (0.12–0.31 in) long, and is found in a range of fresh and brackish waters. It feeds on algae and diatoms and is a major food of waterfowl.
Wikipedia reference for Hyalella azteca: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyalella azteca.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Malacostraca
- Order
- Amphipoda (Amphipods)
- Suborder
- Senticaudata
- Family
- Hyalellidae
- Genus
- Hyalella
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
About Amphipods: the wider group
Order-level background for Amphipoda, the group containing Hyalella azteca. 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 Hyalella azteca (7)
Photo credits: Contributed by Eric Moody; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset