Atlantic tidal sands burrower

Moved

… Ken Wolgemuth, 5 June, 2011 - 5:50pm

Moved for expert attention

… Ken Wolgemuth, 5 June, 2011 - 12:04am

I agree with Ryan

In fact, I'd go so far as to suggest that this could be Coronis excavatrix.

I would even make a page for it, but I'm not clear on the taxonomy. I know it's in the Order Stomatopoda, which is in the Class Malacostraca and Subclass Hoplocarida. However, I don't know to which Superorder Stromatopoda belongs. Perhaps a crustacean expert will provide some guidance.

… Ken Wolgemuth, 5 June, 2011 - 12:04am

Nice

Good job with the species ID. Stomatopods have always interested me.

… Ryan St Laurent, 5 June, 2011 - 7:57am

coronis excavatrix

Thanks Ken. That looks like it for sure. All I can say is I didn't want to step on it with bare feet! Sure looks insecty, no?
Lahna

… Lahna, 5 June, 2011 - 6:29am

Not an insect

This looks like a mantis shrimp, I'm not certain though and I have no clue what species (or even genus for that matter).

… Ryan St Laurent, 4 June, 2011 - 8:41pm

Could be

I'm not a FL gal, so I am unfamiliar with such things, but it could be that and not a beetle larva or something. It didn't have any claws and very short eyestalks, if at all, but as it was in the tideline... and did dig in straight down under the sand. I reminded me of a bit of a dragonfly larva. I did google images ans see that there's huge variation in mantis shrimp.
Thanks Ryan

… Lahna, 4 June, 2011 - 10:10pm