Benthesicymidae Wood-Mason, 1891

Wicksten, Mary K., 2012, Decapod Crustacea of the Californian and Oregonian Zoogeographic Provinces 3371, Zootaxa 3371, pp. 1-307 : 17

Family Benthesicymidae Wood-Mason, 1891

Species of this family occur on the continental slopes and in the offshore water column. The exoskeleton is thin and membranous. Many species are colored orange to dark red. Although features of the telson and carapace may be characteristic of certain species, the soft exoskeleton is often torn or twisted during collection. Definitive identification relies on examination of the genital apparatus, especially among midwater species. The key follows that given by Wasmer (1972b) for the identification of the species of Gennadas .

Species of Benthesicymus are the largest members of this family in the area. These benthic shrimps inhabit muddy areas of the continental slopes and abyssal plains. Species of Gennadas and Bentheogennema live in midwater, where they undergo vertical migrations. They feed primarily on copepods, ostracods, and other small crustaceans ( Heffernan & Hopkins 1981). Information included here from the San Pedro Basin is based on unpublished records and color notes by J. C. Yaldwyn (University of Wellington, New Zealand).