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Dahlella

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Dahlella
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Clade: Pancrustacea
Class: Malacostraca
Order: Leptostraca
Family: Nebaliidae
Genus: Dahlella
Hessler, 1984 [1]
Species:
D. caldariensis
Binomial name
Dahlella caldariensis
Hessler, 1984 [1]

Dahlella is a genus of leptostracan crustacean that is common in the deep-sea hydrothermal vent communities, specifically on the Galapagos divide and Eastern Pacific Rise. The only species is Dahlella caldariensis.[2] It was first described by Robert Hessler.

Taxonomy

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Upon the first discovery by marine biologist Robert Hessler, the species was recognized as a new genus and species and was proposed to fit between two families, Nebaliopsididae and Nebaliidae.[3] The species is currently classified under the Nebaliidae family and it shares it along with other genera such as Nebalia, Nebaliella, and Speonebalia.[4]

Description

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Dahlella may reach a length of 8.1 mm (0.32 in) from the base of the rostrum to the end of the abdomen.[5] Much of the animal is covered by a large, hinged carapace. Dahlella can be distinguished from other animals in the same family by the presence of a row of denticles (small teeth) on the eyestalks, which it is believed are used to scrape surfaces for food.[6] A similar character is found in Paranebalia (Paranebaliidae), but the form of the eyestalk is very different in the two taxa.[6]

Dahlella caldariensis have long large, curved eyes, a denticulate anterior margin, and small second maxilla according to a study measuring different synapomorphies and Apomorphies of different species in Nebalia and Nebaliidae done by Olesen.[7] Due to their deep-sea inhabitance, they lack a functional cornea and therefore have trouble seeing light from hydrothermal vents. Hydrothermal vents also produce faint light due to its chemical reactions and properties, which also does not make seeing any better for Dahlella caldariensis.[8] The species also has a complex carapace that covers its body almost completely and is not fused, allowing for flexibility and growth for the crustacean. Its flexible body makes the organism more suitable when navigating through hydrothermal vents.[9] Dahlella have leaf-like appendages they use to move and bring food to their mouths when they are close to hydrothermal vents.[10]

Distribution

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Dahlella caldariensis has been recorded from a small number of sites around hydrothermal vents in the eastern Pacific Ocean near the Galápagos Islands and on the East Pacific Rise.[11][12] It is one of the deepest-living species of Leptostraca, having been found at depths of over 2,300 m (7,500 ft).[13]

Habitat and ecology

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Dahlella caldariensis' live among deep sea mussels Bathymodiolus thermophilus in clumps and some tube worms along the vents.[3] With their leafy like appendages, they are highly likely filter feeders or at least detritivores when they feel at vents. The species are also secondary consumers, eating the bacteria and detritus that is abundant in that ecosystem.

Behavior and reproduction

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This species tends to swim actively like most leptostracans but spend most of their time scuttling and staying on vents.[4]Dahlella do not have a larval stage and when eggs are produced, they are carried inside a pouch in the carapace until the eggs hatch into juveniles.[10]

Etymology

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The generic name Dahlella commemorates the biologist Erik Dahl of the University of Lund. The specific epithet comes from the Latin word caldaria meaning hot bath, and is a reference to the natural habitat of D. caldariensis.[14]

References

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  1. 1 2 R. R. Hessler (1984). "Dahlella caldariensis new genus new species - a leptostracan (Crustacea, Malacostraca) from deep-sea hydrothermal vents". Journal of Crustacean Biology. 4 (4): 655–664. Bibcode:1984JCBio...4..655H. doi:10.2307/1548079. JSTOR 1548079.
  2. "Dahlella Hessler, 1984". WoRMS. World Register of Marine Species. 2024. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
  3. 1 2 Hessler, Robert R. (1984-07-01). "Dahlella caldariensis, New Genus, New Species: a Leptostracan (Crustacea, Malacostraca) from Deep-sea Hydrothermal Vents". Journal of Crustacean Biology. 4 (4): 655–664. doi:10.2307/1548079. ISSN 0278-0372.
  4. 1 2 Walker–Smith, G. K.; Poore, G. C. B. (2001). "A phylogeny of the Leptostraca (Crustacea) with keys to families and genera". Memoirs of Museum Victoria. 58 (2): 383–410. doi:10.24199/j.mmv.2001.58.21. ISSN 1447-2546.
  5. "Dahlella caldariensis". Grzimek's Animal Life Encyclopedia. 2003.
  6. 1 2 Genefor K. Walker-Smith & Gary C. B. Poore (2001). "A phylogeny of the Leptostraca (Crustacea) with keys to families and genera" (PDF). Memoirs of Museum Victoria. 58 (2): 383–410. doi:10.24199/j.mmv.2001.58.21. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-08-09. Retrieved 2009-02-27.
  7. Olesen, Jorgen (December 1999). "A new species of Nebalia (Crustacea, Leptostraca) from Unguja Island (Zanzibar), Tanzania, East Africa, with a phylogenetic analysis of leptostracan genera". Journal of Natural History. 33 (12): 1789–1809. doi:10.1080/002229399299734. ISSN 0022-2933.
  8. Zhang, Haibin; Zhou, Yang; Yang, Zhuo (December 2024). "Genetic adaptations of marine invertebrates to hydrothermal vent habitats". Trends in Genetics. 40 (12): 1047–1059. doi:10.1016/j.tig.2024.08.004. ISSN 0168-9525.
  9. Newman, William A.; Knight, Margaret D. (1984-07-01). "The Carapace and Crustacean Evolution—Arebuttal". Journal of Crustacean Biology. 4 (4): 682–687. doi:10.2307/1548081. ISSN 0278-0372.
  10. 1 2 Haney, Todd A.; Martin, Joel W. (February 2004). "A new genus and species of leptostracan (Crustacea: Malacostraca: Phyllocarida) from Guana Island, British Virgin Islands, and a review of leptostracan genera". Journal of Natural History. 38 (4): 447–469. doi:10.1080/0022293021000033210. ISSN 0022-2933.
  11. "Dahlella caldariensis | Ocean Biodiversity Information System (OBIS)". obis.org. Retrieved 2026-04-26.
  12. Todd Haney. "Leptostraca Specimen Database Search". Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County. Archived from the original on 2008-10-10.
  13. Todd A. Haney, Robert R. Hessler & Joel W. Martin (2001). "Nebalia schizophthalma, a new species of leptostracan (Malacostraca) from deep waters off the east coast of the United States" (PDF). Journal of Crustacean Biology. 21 (1): 192–201. doi:10.1651/0278-0372(2001)021[0192:NSANSO]2.0.CO;2. JSTOR 1549768. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-07-27. Retrieved 2009-02-27.
  14. Todd Haney. "Synonymy". Los Angeles PEET project on Leptostraca. Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County. Archived from the original on 2008-09-06.