Amphoroidea falcifer
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| Amphoroidea falcifer | ||||||||||||||||||
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| Amphoroidea falcifer G. Thomson, 1879 |
Amphoroidea falcifer is an isopod of the family Sphaeromatidae, endemic to New Zealand. It is found subtidally on the fronds of the kelp Ecklonia radiata. Its length is up to 15 mm.
The axe-like front end is formed from enlarged basal segments of the first pair of feelers (antennules). Amphoroidea falcifer maintains its grip on kelp fronds with its strong claws and toothed pads at the tips of its seven pairs of walking legs. It swims powerfully using the paddle-like rear limbs (the pleopods). It feeds on the surface layers of kelp which are cut with the jaws and thrust into the mouth with other special feeding limbs. Coloration is the same golden brown as the Ecklonia radiata on which it exclusively lives, giving it superb camouflage.
[edit] References
- Amphoroidea falcifer (TSN 92366). Integrated Taxonomic Information System.
- Miller M & Batt G, Reef and Beach Life of New Zealand, William Collins (New Zealand) Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand 1973
