Key to Order Amphipoda

Modified from  Kozloff, 1987, 1996  p. 346 (Copyright 1987, 1996, University of Washington Press.  Used in this web page by permission of University of Washington Press)

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1a	Pereon consisting of 7 pereonites, all of which have well developed pereopods; abdomen not vestigial; body neither especially slender nor resembling that of a praying mantis	2
1b	Pereon consisting of 6 visible pereonites, some of which have only vestigial pereopods; abdomen vestigial; body (except for species found on whales) usually slender and often resembling that of a praying mantis	Suborder Caprellidea
2a	Eyes generally large, occupying most of the surface of the head; coxae of pereopods small and often fused with the body; usually planktonic, associated with Jellyfish or Ctenophores	Suborder Hyperiidea, Hyperoche medusarum
2b	Eyes usually present and conspicuous, but not so large as to occupy most of the surface of the head; coxae of pereopods well developed, and usually expanded into platelike structures; mostly benthic, but a few species are planktonic	Suborder Gammaridea

  Suborder Caprellidea
  Suborder Gammaridea
  Suborder Hyperiidea, Hyperoche medusarum