Idotea urotoma
| Idotea urotoma | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Malacostraca |
| Order: | Isopoda |
| Family: | Idoteidae |
| Genus: | Idotea |
| Species: | I. urotoma
|
| Binomial name | |
| Idotea urotoma Stimpson, 1864[1]
| |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Idotea urotoma, the blunt-tailed isopod, is a species of marine isopod which can be found in the low intertidal and shallow subtidal zones, from Puget Sound in the U.S. state of Washington to Baja California in Mexico.[1][2][3]
Description
Idotea urotoma is variable in appearance, but it typically matches the color of the seaweed or seagrass on which it is found, ranging from yellowish gold to reddish brown or black.[3] At the telson or the rear end of the organism's body, the margin is broadly triangular, where the right and left sides converge without a distinct median projection.[4] This feature distinguishes the blunt-tailed isopod from other similar isopods. Also, along with I. rufescensand I. ochotensis, the blunt-tailed isopod is the only other Idotea species that has a maxilliped palp with four rather than five articles.[5]
Natural History
Like other isopods, the blunt-tailed isopod is gonochoric. Mating usually occurs before and sometimes during the time of molting.[6]
References
- ^ a b Gary Poore & Marilyn Schotte (2008). Schotte M, Boyko CB, Bruce NL, Poore GC, Taiti S, Wilson GD (eds.). "Idotea urotoma Stimpson, 1864". World Marine, Freshwater and Terrestrial Isopod Crustaceans Database. World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved February 6, 2026.
- ^ "Idotea urotoma Blunt-tailed Isopod". Reeflex. Retrieved February 6, 2026.
- ^ a b McDonald, Gary. "Idotea urotoma Stimpson, 1864". Intertidal Invertebrates of the Monterey Bay Area, California. Retrieved February 6, 2026.
- ^ Stebbins, Timothy D. (February 13, 2012). "California Valviferan Isopods (Crustacea, Isopoda, Valvifera)" (PDF). SCAMIT: Southern California Association of Marine Invertebrate Taxonomists. Retrieved February 6, 2026.
- ^ Hiebert, T.C. (2015). "Idotea wosnesenskii". Oregon Institute of Marine Biology.
- ^ "Idotea urotoma". SeaLife Base.