Miniature Spinyhead

Mesocrangon munitella

The Miniature Spinyhead is a crustacean belonging to the family Crangonidae, commonly found in the Eastern Pacific, specifically in Canadian waters. Divers may encounter this species in temperate regions, where it inhabits benthic environments. This species is primarily found in shallower waters, with over half of recorded occurrences at depths less than 40 meters, and most not exceeding 100 meters. It is a bottom-dwelling organism, often residing in areas with sandy or muddy substrates. The Miniature Spinyhead is part of the order Decapoda, which are mostly gonochoric. Mating involves a precopulatory courtship ritual, utilizing olfactory and tactile cues, followed by indirect sperm transfer. Currently, there is no evaluation of its conservation status by the IUCN, CITES, or CMS. Divers may find this species at various dive sites, making it a potential sighting during dives in its habitat.