opossum shrimp

noun
1.
any small, shrimplike crustacean of the order Mysidacea, the females of which carry their eggs in a pouch between the legs.
Origin
1835-45
Examples from the web for opossum shrimp
  • Mysids are often called opossum shrimp because females typically their eggs in a pouch.
  • Fish and opossum shrimp entrainment was monitored using partial recovery tailrace and intake nets.
British Dictionary definitions for opossum shrimp

opossum shrimp

noun
1.
any of various shrimplike crustaceans of the genera Mysis, Praunus, etc, of the order Mysidacea, in which the females carry the eggs and young around in a ventral brood pouch
Encyclopedia Article for opossum shrimp

mysid

any member of the crustacean order Mysidacea. Most of the 450 known species live in the sea; a few live in brackish water; and fewer still live in fresh water. Most are 1 to 3 cm (about 0.4 to 1.2 inches) long. The name opossum shrimp derives from the females' brood pouch, in which young larvae spend several weeks.

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