amphipod sp.?

Hi guys,

been hard to find the species name of that amphipod.

maybe one of you might have encounter that species before?

Cheers

Daniel

I've been wondering about this one too. It's the most photographed Indo-Pacific amphipod (by the way, where did you see it?) and I have never found a name for it beyond family Cyproideidae. Most amphipods either live hidden away or have cryptic coloration so that they blend into their surroundings to avoid predation. This one though seems to live out in the open. That suggests that the color pattern is a warning that the bug tastes nasty or might even be poisonous. If you don't mind I'll send off your photo to a friend who specializes in amphipods & see if he can put a name on it.

Hi Leslie,

Found it in North Bali at 45 m on a sea fan. I have also not been able to find a name for it beyond family Cyproideidae.

Hopefully your friend might be able to put a name on it.

Cheers

Daniel

Hi,

I have no idea about this one, but I'll allow myself to ask the same question on another species. So I don't have to create a new topic

If anyone can help :

Canada, common species, around -15m on rock/kelp environment.

That would be Chromopleustes pugettensis. It's a northern counterpart to Chromopleustes lineatus - I've got a picture of it here

http://www.flickr.com/photos/86448061@N00/370021332/ The white band on the back is bigger in C. pugettensis. Like Daniel's cyproideid these are out in the open with warning coloration. They're definitely distasteful to fish & C. pugettensis is fairly agressive - I've heard of them biting divers who try to catch them. C. lineatus is commonly found living on bat star Patira miniata. that's a lovely shot - the pod looks like an alien on its own little planet. Is that a Nereocystis its on?

Thanks a lot !!!

Is that a Nereocystis its on?

yes, I saw him swimming to it, he then stoped a few second on, just before I took the shot, and he went away then. He wasn't agressive but didn't fear me at all, as far as I remember.

I have a few more nice shot from the same area, and didn't ID the two firsts, if you have a clue... :

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3009/275223...c52f79129_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3176/275307...6de9d0079_o.jpg

This one is easy to find, but the shots are funny :

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3164/270724...717e63fde_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3134/270804...57ce28d53_o.jpg

The shrimp is Heptocarpus stylus - the bright blue spots are diagnostic even though the body color may be kelp colored. It's typically found on kelp. The nudi is Adalaria proxima I think - Marli's much better at NEP nudis than I am.

And I goofed on the amphipod - it's Chromopleustes oculatus. Don't know why but I have the other name stuck in my head, sorry.