Diversity within the Cumacea

There are 8 currently recognized families within the order Cumacea, with about 1400 species currently described. Investigation of unsorted collections suggests that the described species represent 25-50% of diversity, so the correct number of species is probably between 3000 and 5000. There are about 100 genera, but species are not equally distributed among them.

Species range in size from 1 mm - 30 mm, with the larger species generally found in colder or deeper water. Within the overall constraints of cumacean body form, body forms can be strikingly diverse. Walking legs may be short and stout or long and slender, with many setae or with very few. The carapace may be smooth and shiny or ornamented, uncalcified and transparent or heavily calcified. The abdomen may be nearly the same diameter as the carapace and pereon, so that the cumacean presents a worm like appearance, or the abdomen may be so slender and the carapace so swollen that the animal resembles a comma. Some species are flattened and coated in mucus such that they resemble flat worms. There may be a single eye on the midline of the body, or two eyes..

More Information on Cumaceans

• Cumacean Introduction
• Cumacean Morphology
•  Diversity within the Cumacea (This page)
• Ecology of the Cumacea
• Life History of the Cumacea