Cumacea

Cumacea are a small order of benthic crustaceans, commonly known as false cumaceans or hood-shaped shrimp. They belong to the superorder Peracarida, sharing this classification with other well-known groups like amphipods and isopods. Cumaceans are found in marine and brackish environments worldwide, typically inhabiting soft sediments on the seafloor.

Morphologically, cumaceans are characterized by a distinct, hood-like carapace that covers the head and thorax. This carapace is often fused with several thoracic segments. They possess a short abdomen that is typically segmented and ends in a pair of uropods. Cumaceans are generally small, ranging from a few millimeters to about two centimeters in length.

Their diet consists mainly of detritus and microorganisms, which they filter from the sediment or water column using specialized mouthparts. Cumaceans play a role in benthic ecosystems as important detritivores, contributing to nutrient cycling. They are also prey for various fish and other benthic invertebrates.

Reproduction in cumaceans involves internal fertilization, and the females carry their developing eggs in a ventral brood pouch formed by pleopods. The young hatch as miniature versions of the adults, a characteristic feature of peracarid crustaceans. Despite their widespread distribution, cumaceans are not of significant commercial importance, though they are sometimes collected for scientific research.