Orchestia agilis
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Common sand flea | ||||||||||||||||
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Orchestia agilis is a species of amphipod crustacean known as the common sand flea. It is found on the Atlantic coast of the Americas from Canada to Argentina, and on the coast of Europe. Sand fleas are abundant on the surface of sandy shores and may be found burrowing in the sand. Laterally compressed and less than 12 mm (less than 0.5 in) long, they leap by bending their body together and throwing it open with a sudden jerk, using their body segment, the taillike telson. They feed on almost any dead or decaying animal or plant substance.
[edit] References
Encarta Reference Library Premium 2005 DVD. Article - Common Sand Flea
