Russell's Cave Amphipod
Stygobromus russelli
This record describes Stygobromus russelli (species). Recorded family: Crangonyctidae. Recorded order: Amphipoda.
Identification and Appearance
highly variable, may be species complex (Holsinger 1972) The species is typically rare, but occasionally a large number of specimens may be found on a single cave visit. Texas considers this to be a Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) ( 3 )
Wikipedia reference for Stygobromus russelli: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stygobromus_russelli.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Malacostraca
- Order
- Amphipoda (Amphipods)
- Suborder
- Senticaudata
- Family
- Crangonyctidae
- Genus
- Stygobromus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
a cave obligate species (Troglobite) that lives in cave pools and streams
Geographic Range
endemic to e. Edwards Plateau, TX - Map
About Amphipods: the wider group
Order-level background for Amphipoda, the group containing Stygobromus russelli. 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 Russell's Cave Amphipod (6)
Photo credits: Contributed by Mike Quinn
Frequently Asked Questions About Russell's Cave Amphipod
What is Russell's Cave Amphipod?
Russell's Cave Amphipod (Stygobromus russelli) is a species in the family Crangonyctidae, within the order Amphipoda.
How big is Russell's Cave Amphipod?
Adults range from 4 to 7 mm in total body length.
How do you identify Russell's Cave Amphipod?
highly variable, may be species complex (Holsinger 1972)
Where is Russell's Cave Amphipod found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | a cave obligate species (Troglobite) that lives in cave pools and streams |
| Range | endemic to e. Edwards Plateau, TX - Map |