Byblis mildura

Systematics: Amphipoda Family Ampeliscidae

Distinguishing Characters:
Ampeliscid amphipods possess two pairs of eyes on the sides of their flattened head, one pair with a focussing lens in the cuticle. Byblis mildura is a large brown species, 12 mm long.

General Biology:
This species is one of the most common amphipods on soft muddy sediments in places like Port Phillip Bay. It occurs in densities up to 1200 individuals per square metre. The animals live in silky tubes on their backs filtering and sorting the muddy sediments with the long hairs on their front legs. The species ranges throughout eastern Australia at depths between 10 and 80 metres.

Feedback and queries should be sent to the Discovery Centre at Museum Victoria.
Please note, the Discovery Centre can help you only with questions about crustaceans from southeastern Australia. It can not advise on the care of pet hermit crabs or on crustaceans from other regions.