Deep in the ocean where only submarines and unmanned deep dive vehicles can go, lives the species that inspired the Alien movies, and rightfully so it did.

The Phronima is a small, translucent deep sea hyperiid, closely related to amphipods (crustaceans).  To put it in relative perspective, it resembles a common shrimp — with a similar head, eyes, jaws and clawed arms, but don’t count it out just yet.  The Phronima is truly alien in nature and instinct.

Deep past 1,000 feet in the ocean (where the sun’s rays no longer reach), thrives the Phromina, an innovative creature that hunts for pray in hopes it can use it as a host.  Just like the Xenomorphs in the movie Alien, the Phromina’s biological life cycle directly relates to violently implanting itself and its offspring inside living hosts, though whether they erupt from their chests in the same manor is something unseen.

What we do know is, when pray is found, she and her newly developed pink offspring live in the belly of the host, including creatures like jelly.  With Phrominas’ good sight and impressive claws, this 2.5 centimetres (0.98 in) long mystery is a deadly predator to creatures even double its size.

These ‘natural aliens’ live in an impressive world where life is the closest it can be to being utterly translucent. And where any light created is coming (only) from other creatures — closely resembling a light show, fire works and even infrared light.

Though there is much speculation whether the Phronima is actually what inspired the Xenomorphs in Alien movies, the truth is obvious in the Phronimas’ ruthless means to survive by hosting  itself and young in other creatures, though the likeness is obviously derived from the inspiring painting of Giger, Necronom IV.

Check here to see a YouTube click of a Phronima, or for a more aweinspiring look at the Phronima and other amazing deep sea creatures, watch BBC The Planet Series “The Deep.”

Nature is truly amazing, even the creatures we may never get to see in person.