If you're interested in using any of these photographs in any way, please contact me. Send an e-mail to naturalhistoryphotos(at)gmail.com. Thanks!

Monday, June 25, 2018

Down below


A few days ago we happened upon this little isopod crawling along a sandy beach.  


Below is another view in Eric's hand.  The isopod was ~15 mm (~0.5 inch) long.

 

Meet Alloniscus perconvexus!  [We've been calling this one "Allen" for short.  ;)]

This is a terrestrial isopod that lives on the uppermost part of the beach.  

Fun facts about Alloniscus:
  • It's an air-breather.
  • It's a burrower.  You might see its small mole-like burrows at the surface, but it can burrow 7.5-15 cm (3-6 inches) below the surface.
  • It scavenges on beach wrack (seaweeds washed up at the high tide line) at night.
  • Its pereopods (legs) are robust and adapted for burrowing:




This is the last view we had of Allen, burrowing head first beneath the sand: 


Since then I've been wondering about this little isopod's adventures.  What do you think Allen's been up to (or down to)?

No comments: