giant isopod
Looking like it just crawled out of a bad science fiction movie, the giant isopod is without a doubt one of the strangest creatures found in the deep sea. [1]
A giant isopod may be one of approximately nine species of large isopods (crustaceans related to the shrimp and crabs) in the genus Bathynomus. [2]
Eggs of the Giant Isopod are also giant, up to 13mm diameter (0.5 inches) and are brooded in a brood pouch above the stomach and internal organs. [3]
The giant isopod can grow to a length of over 16 inches, and has a hard shell that is divided into segments which makes it both strong and flexible - it can roll into a ball to protect its soft underside, similar to pill bugs found on land. [4]
Giant Isopods are deep sea creatures that scavenge at depths of 170m to depths or even 2200 meters. [...] The eggs that have been fertilized by the male Isopod will be stored in the marsupium for an unknown time and when the eggs hatch, then the miniature Isopods emerge from the marsupium as little clones. [5]
The Giant Isopod’s thoracic legs or pereiopods are arranged in seven pairs, the first of which are modified into maxillipeds to manipulate and bring food to the four sets of jaws. [3]
The enormous size of the giant isopod is a result of a phenomenon known as deep sea gigantism. [1]
Giant Isopods are important scavengers in the deep-sea environment; they are found at a depth of 170 meters (560 ft) to the pitch darkness of 2,140 meters (7,020 ft), where pressures are high and temperatures are very low ‘ down to about 4 ?C (39 ?F). [3]
It is a carnivorous crustacean that spends its time scavenging the deep ocean floor. [6]
The uniramous thoracic legs or pereiopods are arranged in seven pairs, the first of which are modified into maxillipeds to manipulate and bring food to the four sets of jaws. [2]
It is supposed that our giant friend crawls on the bottom looking for dead fishes and slow moving animals such as sea stars. [6]
The Giant Isopod, Bathynomus giganteus, is the largest member of the isopod family, a group of crustaceans closely related to shrimps and crabs. [4]
Because light is extremely faint in the deep sea, the giant isopod has developed large antennae to help it feel its way around as it crawls along the ocean floor. [1]
Most of the species are rarely larger than 1 cm, but, regarding body length, one species is steets ahead of them all. [6]
Sources:
[1] Giant Isopod - Deep Sea Creatures on Sea and Sky
[2] Giant isopod - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
[3] The Giant Isopod: Abomination of the Sea
[4] Giant Isopod | Bathynomus giganteus | SeaPics.com
[5] Giant Isopod
[6] Giant Isopod - Marine Biology: Life in the Ocean - Care2.com