Heterocarpus ensifer

{{Short description|Species of crustacean}}

{{Speciesbox

| image = Heterocarpus ensifer.jpg

| genus = Heterocarpus

| species = ensifer

| authority = A. Milne-Edwards, 1881 {{ITIS |id=97064 |taxon=Heterocarpus ensifer A. Milne-Edwards, 1881 |accessdate=June 20, 2011}}

}}

Heterocarpus ensifer is a species of deep-water shrimp. The nominate subspecies is found in the Atlantic Ocean from Spain and Madeira to Angola and from North Carolina to the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea; other subspecies occur in the Pacific Ocean and around the Philippines and Indonesia.{{cite book |url=http://www.gsmfc.org/seamap/picture_guide/Shrimp/heterocarpus%20ensifer%20ensifer.pdf |format=PDF |chapter=Heterocarpus ensifer ensifer A. Milne-Edwards, 1881 |title=Guide to Shelf Invertebrates, Gulf of Mexico |author1=Harriet Perry |author2=Kirsten Larsen |date=April 6, 2004 |publisher=Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission}} Despite being one of the most abundant shrimp in some areas,{{cite journal |title=Collections and Submarine Observations of Deep Benthic Fishes and Decapod Crustacea in Hawaii1 |author=Thomas A. Clarke |year=1972 |journal=Pacific Science |volume=26 |issue=3 |pages=310–317 |url=https://scholarspace.manoa.hawaii.edu/bitstream/10125/503/1/v26n3-310-317.pdf |format=PDF}} its biology is still poorly known.{{cite journal |title=Relative growth and size at first maturity of the deep water shrimp, Heterocarpus ensifer (Decapoda, Pandalidae) from the southern Gulf of Mexico |author1=Enrique Lozano-Álvarez |author2=Patricia Briones-Fourzán |author3=Adolfo Gracia |author4=Ana Vázquez-Bader |journal=Crustaceana |volume=80 |issue=5 |year=2007 |pages=555–568 |doi=10.1163/156854007780765588}} These deep water crustaceans are most copious between 300 and 400m. Their distribution demonstrates an ability to adapt well to distinct environments.{{Cite journal|last=de Oliveira|first=Vanildo Souza|date=2011|title=RELATIVE ABUNDANCE AND BIOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF SHRIMP, Heterocarpus ensifer (CARIDEA: PANDALIDAE), CATCH ON EXTERNAL MARGIN OF THE CONTINENTAL SHELF AND SLOPE, OFF NORTHEAST BRAZIL|journal=Boletim Do Instituto De Pesca|volume=37|pages=375–382|via=Science Citation Index}} It is generally found at depths of {{convert|200|-|885|m|ft|abbr=on}}.

File:Shrimp Bioluminescence (23503861701).jpg fluid.]]