Dark-banded mantis shrimp

Lysiosquilla scabricauda

Family Lysiosquillidae - mantis shrimps (crustacea)

Distinguishing
Characteristics
Body more lobster-like than shrimp-like; carapace and body rigid; carapace translucent, body and carapace cream-colored, dark brown bars on anterior portion of segments, segments whitish laterally, uropods (tail fans) with black pigment; telson (hard part of tail fan) with dark blotches; telson broader than long with a raised medium hump, spines on margins; margins of last 2 abdominal segments armed with spines; claws comb-like, no movable finger, fold in towards arms; claws with 8-11 teeth (usually 9-10); eyes T-shaped, cornea bi-lobed; last segment of last 3 walking legs oval in shape; small spine on 5th thoracic segment (i.e., 1st abdominal segment behind carapace).
Similar Species
The dark banding on the abdomen distinguishes this mantis shrimp.
Habitat
Gulf and bay, sandy or muddy bottoms
Maximum Size
27.5 cm (11 in)
Other Common Names
sea locusts, thumb splitters
Previous Scientific Names
Comments