Stomatopod general biology

[Stomatopod Biology]

Anatomy
[stomatopod drawing 1]
The long narrow body of a mantis shrimp comprises a carapace covering the head and half the thorax, and several exposed segments of the thorax and abdomen. The second pair of legs is the largest and is armed with a row of spines or a massive club. The third to fifth pairs are rather paddle-shaped while the remaining three pairs of thoracic legs and the five pairs of swimmerets are simpler. The telson at the end of the abdomen and the paired uropods alongside are spiny. The animal is often brightly coloured. Some species, especially from the tropical seas, grow to 55 cm long.

Reproduction

After mating the female mantis shrimp lays a mass of numerous eggs which it guards until they hatch. A larva hatches from the egg after a few weeks and enters the plankton where it develops for several more weeks. It eventually settles and builds its own burrow in the sediment.

Biology

Mantis shrimps live in burrows or spaces under rocks or coral which they excavate themselves. The short carapace and flexible body enable them to turn around inside the burrow. They lie in wait in these burrows for passing prey, fishes or crustaceans. Stomatopods have good stereoscopic eyesight and mobile eyes. When food is seen or sensed with the antennae the animal lunges at it and grabs it with the praying-mantis-like claws. In some species this claw has a club-like thickening which may be used to stun prey.

Distribution

Mantis shrimps are marine mostly living in shallow sandy sediments. Greatest diversity of species is in the tropics in the sediments of coral lagoons. Few species inhabit the deep sea.

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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.