G.O. Sars, 1885
Generic diagnosis:
The eyes are ovoid, poorly developed and possibly non functional. There is a tubercle above the eye on the eyestalk (B. amblyops eye detail photo). The peduncle of the 1st antenna is short and robust, but the flagella are extremely long. All eight thoracic legs are similarly developed (Bentheuphausia-thoracic legs). The genus lacks luminescent organs (Bentheuphausia-photophores). The 1st pleopod of the male is not modified as a complex petasma. A series of bristles is present near the usual site of the petasma (Bentheuphausia-petasma). The outer uropod has an incomplete transverse suture (Bentheuphausia-uropods) near the distal end.
There is only one species in the family.