Distinguishing Characteristics |
Small, oval, depressed, twice as long as wide; color white or cream; body with a hard calcified exoskeleton; head short, rounded lateral edges, 2 eyespots; 2 pair segmented antennae; thorax (upper body) segmented crosswise, lateral sides angled downward; abdomen (lower part) with 2 segments, 1st mostly or entirely hidden under last thorax segment, terminal segment triangular, truncate at point, curled inward on underside; legs on underside segmented, fold inward, 1st pair of legs subchelate, i.e. 2nd to last segment a circular disk; last segment is a half claw folding in on circular disc; 2nd pair of legs unbranched on tips, rest of legs branched on terminal segment; uropods (the extensions on the last abdominal segment) unsegmented, unbranched, long and tapering. |
Similar Species |
The thorn isopod can be distinguished by its downward angled laterals on the segments and by its long, unbranched, tapering uropods. |
Habitat |
Gulf, intertidal zone and shallow sandy waters, buries in the sand |
Maximum Size |
1.2 cm (1/2 in) |
Other Common Names |
flat pill bug |
Previous Scientific Names |
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Comments |
May look like a terrestrial pill bug. The thorn isopod can roll itself into a ball and lock its head into the grooves on the underside of the abdomen. Special thanks to Ashley Wiseman, TAMUG student, for collecting the critter. |