Giant isopod: description, lifestyle

Until the end of the nineteenth century, the assumption that there was no life at the depths of the seas and oceans was unshakable. However, caught in 1879 from the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico, a living specimen of enormous size proved the complete failure of this theory and served its early refutation. The individual was a male, the females could not be detected until 1891. The giant isopod shocked many. There were many versions of what kind of creature it was.

If you think in theory!

Of course, now the theory that the bottom of the oceans and seas at depth is devoid of vegetation and absolutely lifeless, is more than absurd. It is there, to the bottom of the sea, the carcasses of large marine animals fall after their natural death. It is impossible to imagine that such an amount of organic material will not be of interest to anyone and may remain without proper processing.

Scientists and biologists tried diligently to prove that the bottom of the ocean is also inhabited. This theory was confirmed by a giant isopod. "Mocryca" became a real star in 1879, people could not believe that such creatures found their home under an unthinkable water column.

The orderlies of the seabed

Huge crustaceans in their appearance look like an ordinary lobster that has reached huge proportions or mutated. At present, there are about nine species of these huge crustaceans.

The giant isopod prefers the deep and cold waters of the three oceans: the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific. The spread of crustaceans is poorly understood. And until now there is no known species of giant isopods that would have inhabited the eastern part of the Atlantic or Pacific oceans.

There are these creatures at a depth of 170 to 2500 meters in different parts of the oceans. The greatest number of individuals was seen at a depth of 360 to 750 meters. These crustaceans grow to half a meter in length. The largest specimen reached a weight of more than one and a half kilograms and was more than 70 cm in length.

What do the isopods eat?

It is generally accepted that they are scavengers, but they do not stop only on this type of food. They perfectly prey on small sponges, sea cucumbers and other slowly moving prey. The darkness reigns on the seabed, you can not find a lot of food. Therefore, the isopods have perfectly adapted to such habitat conditions and calmly endure an emergency hunger strike.

By the way, crustaceans can do without food for a long time - up to two months. If they get enough food, then they are full for future use. Typically, the carcass of a dead large animal can detect up to a hundred crustaceans stuffing the abdomen. A giant isopod likes to eat it. Today photos of these creatures can be found in many book aids.

Body structure

The body of the isopod is covered with a rigid outer exoskeleton, divided into segments. The upper segment is completely connected to the head, the lower parts of the skeleton form a strong tail shield covering the shortened tender abdomen. Like mokritsam, in case of danger the giant isopod folds into a tight ring, covered with a strong shell. This helps her to defend herself against predators attacking the most vulnerable place under the shell. Able to frighten an ignorant person a giant isopod. Description and photos of the creature can be seen in this article.

The isopod eyes are huge, multifaceted and quite complex in structure. They are located at a great distance from each other. Crustaceans have excellent frontal vision. However, at a great depth, where they live, rely mostly on it - it makes no sense. There's pitch darkness. Large and small pair antennas located on the sides of the head play the role of sensory organs, functionally can replace sense of smell, touch, reaction to heat and movement.

Such interesting legs

The giant isopod has seven pairs of relatively small legs. The first pair is transformed into the jaws, they help to grasp and bring food to the four pairs of jaws. Horns more likely resemble cutlery when eating. The abdomen of the crustacean consists of five equal segments. The structure of the isopod body is peculiar. The color of the shell of the giant crustacean is rather pale, with a lilac or brown hue.

Not immediately striking a giant isopod. Perhaps, that's why they did not pay attention to it for a long time.

Reproduction of crustaceans

The highest reproductive activity in giant isopods is observed in spring and winter. At this time, enough food. Eggs of giant isopods are the largest among marine species of invertebrates. Since there are a lot of people who want to eat such a delicacy, a female of isopods wears the entire laying of eggs in a brood bag until small crustaceans hatch from them.

It is only known that from the bag there are not larvae, but young, completely formed equinox crustaceans. However, there is a difference from adults - the absence of the last pair of pectoral legs. It is not known how much the giant isopod lives. Reproduction of crustaceans occurs only in the natural environment, although many try to create appropriate conditions for breeding these creatures in artificial reservoirs.

Content in captivity

Giant isopods live at great depth, so little is known about the behavior of crustaceans in their natural habitat. In aquariums or large aquariums of some cities you can meet these representatives. They are well tolerated, active and eager to eat.

However, a case is known when a representative of crustaceans dispensed with food for five years. He was caught in the Gulf of Mexico and transported to Japan, in the city of Toba. The isopod, well-behaved in captivity, in 2009 suddenly began to refuse food. All attempts to feed her ended in failure. The giant isopod Vicki died in 5 years, the reason is banal - starvation.

It is known that these creatures can live without food for a long time in a natural habitat and feel great. When the hunger-strike of a crustacean dragged on for several years, scientists began to make assumptions more interesting than the other. We thought that the isopod secretly eats food, so it's hard to see when this happens. Another version is even more interesting: the isopod grows plankton independently and eats it. But it's almost impossible to do all this in a closed aquarium under the close attention of specialists. Therefore, the assumptions both arose and disintegrated.

The version of marine ecologist Taeko Timur is the closest to the truth. Since the animal's condition is close to hibernation, life processes are also slowed down. In the liver, he accumulates a layer of fat, which eventually consumes, and replenishes only during the next meal. Therefore, the isopod activity does not decrease.

Giant isopods are not caught in commercial quantities, only privately. You can try them on the taste. Brave men, decided to eat meat of these unpleasant at first glance crustaceans, note the taste similarity with chicken, shrimp and crayfish. Especially popular are these creatures in Japan, there are even produced plush toys in their honor.