ACEPHALOCHIRUS Meaning and
Definition
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Acephalochirus is a genus of small marine shrimp that belongs to the family Alpheidae. These shrimp are commonly known as snapping shrimp due to their unique ability to produce loud snapping sounds. The name "acephalochirus" is derived from the Greek words "a-" meaning without, "cephalo-" meaning head, and "cheir" meaning hand, referring to the peculiar morphology of their large claw.
These shrimp are widely distributed in tropical and subtropical oceanic regions, particularly in coral reefs and other shallow marine habitats. They are typically small in size, usually measuring only a few centimeters in length. The body of acephalochirus shrimp is elongated and covered with a hard exoskeleton.
One of the distinctive features of acephalochirus shrimp is their asymmetrical claws. The larger claw, referred to as the snapping claw, possesses a hinged joint and is capable of producing a powerful snapping sound. This snapping ability is achieved by the sudden closing of the claw, which causes a rapid expulsion of water and creates a loud popping or cracking noise. The sound produced by these shrimp serves various purposes, including communication, defense, and capturing prey.
Acephalochirus shrimp usually live in burrows that they create within the substrate or between coral rubble. They are highly territorial and predominantly remain hidden inside their burrows, only extending their antennae and snapping claw to interact with the external environment. These shrimp are also known to exhibit a mutualistic relationship with various species of gobies, as the gobies provide protection by inhabiting the same burrow and indicating potential threats with their own body movements.
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A monster without head or hands.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for ACEPHALOCHIRUS
- zcephalochirus
- scephalochirus
- wcephalochirus
- qcephalochirus
- axephalochirus
- avephalochirus
- afephalochirus
- adephalochirus
- acwphalochirus
- acsphalochirus
- acdphalochirus
- acrphalochirus
- ac4phalochirus
- ac3phalochirus
- aceohalochirus
- acelhalochirus
- ace-halochirus
- ace0halochirus
- acepgalochirus
- acepbalochirus
Etymology of ACEPHALOCHIRUS
The word "acephalochirus" is derived from the Latin word "acephalus", meaning "headless", and the Greek word "cheir", meaning "hand", or "claw". Together, "acephalochirus" can be translated roughly as "headless hand" or "hand without a head". This term is used in zoology to refer to a genus of crustaceans belonging to the family Alpheidae, commonly known as snapping shrimps or pistol shrimps.
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