Distribution data supplied by the Ocean Biodiversity Information System (OBIS). To interrogate UK data visit the NBN Atlas.Map Help
Researched by | Dr Harvey Tyler-Walters | Refereed by | Admin |
Authority | Leach, 1816 | ||
Other common names | - | Synonyms | - |
A dorso-ventrally flattened crustacean with an elongated rounded oblong shaped body. Body mostly dark purple to brown with white diamond-shaped patches or stripes down the midline and white markings along the edges of the body. Females tend to be darker than males. Males range in length from 4-11 mm and females from 7-10 mm. The distinctive head bears two dorso-lateral eyes, a pair of short antennules, and a pair of antennae. Most of body is taken up by a thorax composed on seven sections (somites). The body ends in a short abdomen (two somites) and a distinct tail-piece (the pleotelson). The antennule extend to the third segment of the antenna. The antenna is robust with a short flagellum that is densley covered with hairs in males. The pleotelson in adults is characteristic, with straight or slightly convex sides, a rounded end and only an indistinct middle tooth or process.
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Phylum | Arthropoda | Arthropods, joint-legged animals, e.g. insects, crustaceans & spiders |
Class | Malacostraca | Crabs, lobsters, sand hoppers and sea slaters |
Order | Isopoda | Sea slaters and gribbles |
Family | Idoteidae | |
Genus | Idotea | |
Authority | Leach, 1816 | |
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Typical abundance | |||
Male size range | 4-11mm | ||
Male size at maturity | |||
Female size range | Small(1-2cm) | ||
Female size at maturity | |||
Growth form | |||
Growth rate | |||
Body flexibility | Low (10-45 degrees) | ||
Mobility | |||
Characteristic feeding method | Grazer (fronds/blades) | ||
Diet/food source | |||
Typically feeds on | Fucoids, associated epiphytes. | ||
Sociability | |||
Environmental position | Epifaunal | ||
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Supports | No information | ||
Is the species harmful? | No |
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Reproductive type | Gonochoristic (dioecious) | |
Reproductive frequency | See additional information | |
Fecundity (number of eggs) | 11-100 | |
Generation time | 1-2 years | |
Age at maturity | ||
Season | ||
Life span | 1-2 years |
Larval/propagule type | - |
Larval/juvenile development | Brooding |
Duration of larval stage | - |
Larval dispersal potential | - |
Larval settlement period | See additional information |
The MarLIN sensitivity assessment approach used below has been superseded by the MarESA (Marine Evidence-based Sensitivity Assessment) approach (see menu). The MarLIN approach was used for assessments from 1999-2010. The MarESA approach reflects the recent conservation imperatives and terminology and is used for sensitivity assessments from 2014 onwards.
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National (GB) importance | - | Global red list (IUCN) category | - |
Native | - | ||
Origin | - | Date Arrived | - |
Bruce, J.R., Colman, J.S. & Jones, N.S., 1963. Marine fauna of the Isle of Man. Liverpool: Liverpool University Press.
Hayward, P., Nelson-Smith, T. & Shields, C. 1996. Collins pocket guide. Sea shore of Britain and northern Europe. London: HarperCollins.
Hayward, P.J. & Ryland, J.S. (ed.) 1995b. Handbook of the marine fauna of North-West Europe. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Healy, B. & O'Neill, M. 1984. The life cycle and population dynamics of Idotea pelagica and I. granulosa (Isopoda: Valvifera) in South-East Ireland. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, 64(1), 21-33
Kroer, N. 1986. Distribution and habitat segregation of four species of Idotea (Isopoda) in a Danish fjord. Ophelia, 25(3), 199-207
Leifsson, B.R. 1999. The life cycle and population dynamics of Idotea pelagica and I. granulosa (Isopoda: Valvifera) in South-East Ireland. Sarsia, 83(1), 1-13
MBA (Marine Biological Association), 1957. Plymouth Marine Fauna. Plymouth: Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom.
Naylor, E. 1955. The ecological distribution of British species of Idotea Journal of Animal Ecology
Naylor, E., 1972. British marine isopods. London: Academic Press. [Synopses of the British Fauna, no. 3.]
Picton, B.E. & Costello, M.J., 1998. BioMar biotope viewer: a guide to marine habitats, fauna and flora of Britain and Ireland. [CD-ROM] Environmental Sciences Unit, Trinity College, Dublin.
Sheader, M. 1977. The breeding biology of Idotea pelagica (Isopoda : Valvifera) with notes on the occurrence and biology of its parasite Clypeoniscus hanseni (Isopoda : Epicaridea) Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, 57(3), 659-674.
Environmental Records Information Centre North East, 2018. ERIC NE Combined dataset to 2017. Occurrence dataset: http://www.ericnortheast.org.ukl accessed via NBNAtlas.org on 2018-09-38
NBN (National Biodiversity Network) Atlas. Available from: https://www.nbnatlas.org.
OBIS (Ocean Biodiversity Information System), 2023. Global map of species distribution using gridded data. Available from: Ocean Biogeographic Information System. www.iobis.org. Accessed: 2023-03-31
This review can be cited as:
Last Updated: 23/05/2005