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Idotea balthica

Idotea balthica
Idotea baltica.jpg
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Crustacea
Class: Malacostraca
Order: Isopoda
Family: Idoteidae
Genus: Idotea
Species: I. balthica
Binomial name
Idotea balthica
(Pallas, 1772)
Synonyms
  • Idotea pusilla Eichwald, 1842
  • Idotea balthica stagnea Tinturier-Hamelin, 1960
  • Idotea baltica Pallas, 1772 [orth. error]
  • Idotea basteri Audouin, 1826
  • Idotea sarsi Collinge, 1917
  • Idotea tricuspidata Desmarest, 1825
  • Idotea tridentata Latreille, 1806
  • Idotea variegata Roux, 1830
  • Oniscus balthica Pallas, 1772
  • Oniscus tridens Scopoli, 1763
  • Stenosoma irrorata Say, 1818

Idotea balthica is a marine isopod which lives on seaweed and seagrass in the subtidal zone of rocky shores.

Idotea balthica has a broad geographical distribution, having been recorded from the Belgian Exclusive Economic Zone, Great Britain, Cobscook Bay, Dutch Exclusive Economic Zone, European waters, Greek Exclusive Economic Zone, Gulf of Maine, Knokke, North West Atlantic, Red Sea, Voordelta, West Coast of Norway, Wimereux and the Black Sea.

The male is larger than female, and can reach 4 centimetres (1.6 in) long. The carapace is yellow, brown or green with small white spots; the female is usually darker. The species can be distinguished from other idoteids by the shape of the telson, which is dorsally keeled with straight sides in I. balthica, and has a distinct spine at the end.


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Wikipedia

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