Ligia oceanica
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| Ligia oceanica (Linaeus, 1767) |
Ligia oceanica, the sea slater or common sea slater, is a marine crustacean which is closely related to woodlice.
L. oceanica is oval, twice as long as broad and may reach up to 30 mm in length, making it the largest oniscid isopod [2]. Its colour may vary from grey to olive-green, and it has large compound eyes and long antennae, ⅔ as long as its body [3].
L. oceanica is found in temperate waters from Norway to the Mediterranean Sea [4] and from Cape Cod north to Maine [5]. It is a common species, occurring wherever the substrate of the littoral zone is rocky, and is especially common in crevices and rock pools and under stones [3]. It is a nocturnal [1] omnivore, eating many kinds of seaweed, diatoms [3] and debris, with a particular fondness for bladder wrack (Fucus vesiculosus) [2].
L. oceanica individuals live for 2½–3 years and usually breed only once [1].
[edit] References
- ^ a b c Sea slater (Ligia oceanica). ARKive.org. Retrieved on December 9, 2006.
- ^ a b The Care of Woodlice (Crustacea, Isopoda, Oniscidae) (2005-11-11).
- ^ a b c Susie Ballerstedt (2006-11-26). Common sea slater - Ligia oceanica. Marine Life Information Network: Biology and Sensitivity Key Information Sub-programme.
- ^ Juan Luis Menéndez (2005-07-03). Ligia oceanica (Linnaeus, 1767) (Spanish). Naturaleza Cantábrica.
- ^ Richard Fox (2001). Invertebrate zoology laboratory exercises. Lander University.
