Published April 30, 2026 | Version v1
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Small Size, Big Bang: A Review of the Snapping Mechanism in Pistol Shrimp

Authors/Creators

  • 1. Department of Fishery Science, Brahmananda Keshab Chandra College, Kolkata 700108

Description

Pistol shrimp, belonging to the family Alpheidae, display one of the most extraordinary biomechanical phenomena found in the animal kingdom: an ultra-rapid snapping claw that can create powerful cavitation bubbles and subsequent powerful sound waves which are being used in predation, defense and intra-specific communication. This review consolidates existing knowledge regarding the morphology, kinematics, and fluid dynamics that support this snapping mechanism. In addition, it delves into recent innovations in experimental and computational strategies applied to model this phenomenon, as well as additional research opportunities in this area.

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References

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