| Popis: |
Currently, cumaceans authorities recognize approximately 1,606 species; most of the literature concerning the order focuses on α-taxonomy. Although the cumaceans have more species than the tanaidaceans, they are distributed among far fewer families. Cumaceans are benthic animals and, for the most part, marine in their habits, although some brackish and freshwater forms occur. They can be found from littoral to abyssal depths; their greatest diversity seems to be in the deep sea. A poor fossil record exists, with specimens generally so small that they lend themselves to study only with scanning electron microscopy. They prefer in-faunal benthic habitats. The females remain cryptic, while the males seek out the sequestered females—although one species is often taken in plankton tows. The cumaceans possess one of the most distinctive anatomical body plans among the peracaridans. |
