Английская Википедия:Azygocypridina lowryi

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Azygocypridina lowryi, colloquially known as the baked bean, is a species of ostracod crustacean or "seed shrimp" in the family Cypridinidae. It is found in deep waters off the east coast of Australia.

Description

Azygocypridina lowryi grows to a length of about Шаблон:Convert. It has a shrimp-like body enclosed between a pair of translucent valves that are hinged at the top and are superficially similar to those of a bivalve mollusc. The animal inside is a bright orange colour and can be seen through the valves which has led to local fishermen naming it the "baked bean".[1] There are two pairs of long antennae which project from the shell and which are used in swimming. The first pair bear long iridescent hairs. These act as a diffraction grating and cause iridescence by the diffraction of light in a manner similar to that which happens in a hologram.[1] Another unusual feature of this ostracod is the possession of a lateral eye which takes the form of a hairy flap of skin containing flecks of photosensitive pigment. This eye is unable to form a proper image but is able to detect differences in the intensity of light.[2]

Distribution

Azygocypridina lowryi is found on the sandy seabed at depths between Шаблон:Convert off the east coast of Australia. Its range extends from Cape York in Queensland to Tasmania in the south.[1] It comes from an ancient lineage: fossils of other members of the genus Azygocypridina have been found in rocks from the Cretaceous period dating back about 150 million years.[1]

Biology

Little is known of the behaviour of this ostracod but when kept in an aquarium it tended to bury itself in the sediment when exposed to light. It is a scavenger and feeds on dead fish and other organic material that finds its way to the seabed. It can swim rather clumsily in a jerky fashion using its second pair of antennae as oars. The larvae are planktonic and go through six moults before settling on the seabed as juveniles.[1]

References

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