Almost Invisible: Transparent Animals of the Deep Sea
Crystal Amphipod | Cystisoma

The crystal amphipod is a crustacean whose almost invisible body lets it occupy open water without an obvious shelter. Its enormous eyes can cover up to a third of the body, yet their retinas are spread into thin sheets that reduce the shadow seen from below. Fine structures and coatings on the exoskeleton help limit reflections, adding another layer to its camouflage. MBARI has observed these animals feeding on gelatinous prey. The image is identified at genus level, Cystisoma, rather than assigned an unverified species name.
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