Penilia avirostris
This record describes Penilia avirostris (species). Recorded family: Sididae. Recorded order: Diplostraca.
Identification and Appearance
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Branchiopoda
- Order
- Diplostraca
- Suborder
- Cladocera
- Family
- Sididae
- Genus
- Penilia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Epipelagic in coastal waters; rare in open ocean.
Geographic Range
Coastal waters of the tropical and subtropical oceans and warm temperate regions.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Filter feeder on bacterio- and phytoplankton
About Diplostraca: the wider group
Order-level background for Diplostraca, the group containing Penilia avirostris. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Diplostraca includes ~3,500 described species of water fleas (Daphnia) and clam shrimp. Daphnia are among the most studied organisms in ecology and toxicology - they reproduce by parthenogenesis, producing only females under good conditions.
Ecological role of the group
Daphnia are keystone species in freshwater food webs - they filter algae from water and are primary prey for fish. A single Daphnia can filter up to 4 mL of water per hour, and their populations can dramatically improve water clarity in lakes.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Daphnia are the global standard test organism for aquatic toxicology (EPA, OECD). They are essential in aquaculture as live food for fish fry. The Daphnia genome was the first crustacean genome to be sequenced (2011).
Recorded sources for this group: EPA ecotoxicology, freshwater ecology, genomics. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Frequently Asked Questions About Penilia avirostris
How big is Penilia avirostris?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Female | 0.5-1.2mm |
| Male | 0.7-0.9mm |
Where is Penilia avirostris found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Epipelagic in coastal waters; rare in open ocean. |
| Range | Coastal waters of the tropical and subtropical oceans and warm temperate regions. |
What does Penilia avirostris eat?
The diet of the Penilia avirostris includes Filter feeder on bacterio- and phytoplankton.