Abstract
Tegumental scales are documented in two families of Caridea, viz. Hippolytidae (genus Lysmata) and Rhynchocinetidae (genera Cinetorhynchus and Rhynchocinetes), raising to seven the number of families in which such scales occur. The scales in Rhynchocinetidae are similar to those in Pandalidae, but the scales in Lysmata spp. are of a slightly different type than previously documented. SEM observations reveal that the scales easily abrade and attention is drawn to the possibility that tegumental scales may be more widespread across families, but are difficult to observe. Caution is advised when considering differences in pattern (not form) between species given this high potential for abrasion. Given the low number of documented occurrences across families and genera, the potential phylogenetic information content of tegumental scales is currently unknown, but could be informative.
