Morlockia is a genus of crustaceans belonging to the family Hadziidae. These small, amphipod crustaceans are typically found in groundwater habitats such as caves, wells, and interstitial spaces within sediments. They are notable for their troglomorphic adaptations, which are characteristics developed by organisms that live in perpetual darkness. These adaptations often include a reduction or absence of eyes and pigment, as well as elongated appendages.
Morlockia species are generally small, often only a few millimeters in length. Their bodies are translucent or whitish in color. They play an important role in their respective ecosystems by feeding on organic matter and contributing to nutrient cycling within groundwater environments.
The genus Morlockia is named after the Morlocks, a subterranean race of beings described in H.G. Wells' novel The Time Machine, reflecting the subterranean habitat of these crustaceans.