Isopod but what? - Ligia pallasii

Moved

This individual was clearly not the same one as the other two, so I separated it. Additionally, although isopods do shed their exoskeleton half of their body at a time, the color change is not usually this dramatic. Unlike insects, which are usually stark white after shedding, crustaceans usually maintain their coloration through the shedding process. Right before shedding half their exoskeleton, the half about to be shed usually becomes cloudy, but that is essentially the extent of the color change. This animal is more likely exhibiting an unusual genetic or developmental anomaly. Great find!

… Eric C. Maxwell, 3 July, 2015 - 8:32am

Moved

Moved from Isopods.

… Eric C. Maxwell, 3 July, 2015 - 8:27am

Moved

Moved from ID Request.

… Charley Eiseman, 14 October, 2014 - 1:12pm

Fascinating...

I can't be certain, but to me this looks like Ligia pallasii. This individual appears to be mid-molt (read more about isopod molting here and more about this species here). I've found coloration in isopods to be an unreliable ID character, but I imagine the extreme contrast in coloration on the first photo here may be the result of flash? If you have any other photos of the molting individual I'd love to see them, and a clear shot of the uropods (of any individual) will probably be able to confirm the ID.

Note though that I'm no expert, just a marine isopod enthusiast.

… Chris Mallory, 10 August, 2014 - 3:17am

Molting

Hi Chris, I think you are correct on the molt causing the color difference. I don't have a better photo of the molting isopod, unfortunately. I'm not sure how much the flash is causing the color contrast as they truly were yellow and black like that when viewed with the flashlight. I did not see any with the colors reversed, but can't say that I spent a lot of time in there with them dropping off the ceiling. LOL Thanks so much for the molt information -- so cool!

… lspswr, 10 August, 2014 - 1:40pm

Not a Molt

Hi, I realize this post was from a long time ago. But I’m trying to identify some ocean isopods that look just like this one.

The reason I don’t think this coloration is from a molt, is that I found a bunch of these isopods on Shi Shi Beach, WA. Same coloration, same kind of rocky area, and all of them had the same characteristics as this one.

I would post a photo to show my findings (also sadly a blurry pic) but I just made this account in order to comment. Not too sure how to post yet.

I’d love anyones help in identifying these cool looking isopods. I too think they are ligia pallasii, but haven’t been able to find much info on them. Especially not this genetic trait of 50/50 coloration.

… Imtreygolden, 27 December, 2021 - 11:10am

I added one more image, the r

I added one more image, the rest do not add value. Now I wish I had tried harder! ;-)

… lspswr, 10 August, 2014 - 1:48pm