Heterocarpus

Heterocarpus is a genus of deep-sea shrimp, mainly of tropical areas all over the world. Heterocarpus is characterised by the highly unequal second pair of pereiopods: one side is long and thin and the other is short but stronger, besides the carapace with one or more longitudinal carinae. So far, 30 species have been described for this genus, Heterocarpus ensifer being the type species. The described species of this genus are: Many Heterocarpus shrimp are known for using bioluminescence as a defense, spitting it on predators. Studies about their feeding habits, and the fact that they may be found in the stomach contents of some pelagic sharks and other fishes is interpreted as they have benthic habits, but they do migrations to the water column at night. Some species of this genus have high fishery potential, such as H. reedi and H. laevigatus.