Rockweed Isopod

Rockweed Isopod

Authors: Emma Hornell and Lilly Powell

Common Names: Rockweed Isopod, Pickle Bug, or Kelp Isopod

Scientific Name: Idotea wosnesenskii

Size Range: 4cm (1.6 inches) in Length

Identifying features

Rockweed Isopods are shrimp-like creatures with 7 pairs of clawed-tipped legs. The males are slightly larger than the females, are paler, and have thicker legs. The colour of individuals can vary from green, brown, to black.  It is dependent on their diet and can help them camouflage into their environment. For example some individuals found in coralline algae are very dark red in colour while those living amongst Rockweed are a dark olive green. Their bodies are segmented and flattened from top-to-bottom.

Habitat

Rockweed Isopods can be found along the Pacific Coast from California to Alaska. They live in the intertidal zone and can be found under rocks or clinging to the holdfasts, stalks or blades of seaweed such as the Rockweed (Fucus gardneri).  They are also sometimes found in mussel beds.

Prey

Rockweed Isopods are scavengers, surviving mainly on marine plants, algae and algal detritus, and occasionally the eggs of molluscs such as the Emarginate Dog Winkle (Nucella emarginata).

Predators

Rockweed Isopods have a myriad of different predators that likely include foraging shore birds and fish.

Behaviours

To protect itself from predators the Rockweed Isopod relies on camouflage and its ability to hold tightly to rocks and seaweed.  Though some marine isopods are able to roll up into a small ball like their terrestrial relatives the Rockweed Isopod is not so flexible. The principally nocturnal creature, however, is a gifted swimmer, using paddle-like appendages on its abdomen to maneuver itself around.

Life cycles

The average lifespan of a Rockweed Isopod is three to four years.

Reproduction

Rockweed Isopods reproduce around spring when the male fertilizes the female. The female Isopod holds her young in body pockets while they develop for three to four weeks, finally hatching as miniature adults.

Fun Fact:

Idotea (Pentidotea) wosnesenskii was Named after Russian biologist Ilya G. Voznesenskii.

Original video by Aries

Video editing by Emma Hornell and Lilly Powell

References

Cowles, Dave. (2006). Idotea wosnessenskii. WWU: On Campus. Retrieved May 7th 2013 fromhttp://www.wallawalla.edu/academics/departments/biology/rosario/inverts/Arthropoda/Crustacea/Malacostraca/Eumalacostraca/Peracarida/Isopoda/Valvifera/Family-Idoteidae/Idotea_wosnessenskii.html

Houck, Becky; Fergusson-Kolmes, Linda; Kolmes, Steven; Lang, Terra. (n.d). Final Report on Intertidal Invertebrates in Tillamook Bay – A Report to the Tillamook Bay National Estuary Project. Department of Biology, University of Portland. Retrieved May 9th 2013 fromhttps://nrimp.dfw.state.or.us/web%20stores/data%20libraries/files/Watershed%20Councils/Watershed%20Councils_440_DOC_InvertebrateFaunaOfTillamookBay.pdf

Jamison, David. W. Kelp Isopod. Pugetsoundsealife.com. Retrieved May 7th 2013 fromhttp://www.pugetsoundsealife.com/puget_sound_sea_life/Kelp_Isopod.html

Pentidotea wosnesenskii. (2013, April 13). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved May 9th, 2013, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Pentidotea_wosnesenskii&oldid=550200397

Vancouver Sun. (May 2nd 2009). Urban critter: Rockweed isopod. canada.com | Join the discussion. Retrieved May 7th 2013 fromhttp://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/westcoastnews/story.html?id=a16723b7-293d-4080-ab7b-671c4ddbc935