Description

 A slender, free-swimming, shrimp that grows up to 17 mm in length. Its body is almost transparent, with occasional brown pigmentation. The species has a well developed carapace, which protects the large stalked eyes, head and thorax. The rostrum of the head is distinctly pointed but short. Its antennae are conspicuous and biramous (having an inner and outer extension), the outer extension (exopod) of the second pair of antennae, takes the form of a flattened plate, known as the antennal scale. The antennal scale is bordered along its margin with setae and is an important diagnostic characteristic. Thoracic limbs are well developed and also biramous, the outer set have a distinctly feathery appearance. Abdominal limbs are less developed and finger-like, with the exception of the last pair which are biramous and flattened, and form the tail fan (uropods).The species seems to be particularly susceptible to injury, causing atypical morphology which may lead to misidentification (Hayward & Ryland, 1995). Synonyms of Mysis or Neomysis vulgaris were in use in the early and continental literature, though Tattersall & Tattersall (1951) considered the specific integer (Leach) to have priority (Parker, 1979).