Bellorchestia quoyana

Bellorchestia quoyana (formerly Talorchestia quoyana)[1] is the largest and most common species[2] of sandhopper, endemic to New Zealand. Its length is up to 14 millimetres (0.55 in). They help to keep the beaches clean by breaking down any organic material, which is vital for plant succession. They are nocturnal and bury themselves up to 30 centimetres (12 in) during the day (the drier the sand, the deeper they go).[3]

Bellorchestia quoyana
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Malacostraca
Superorder: Peracarida
Order: Amphipoda
Family: Talitridae
Genus: Bellorchestia
Species:
B. quoyana
Binomial name
Bellorchestia quoyana
Synonyms[1]
  • Talitrus brevicornis Milne Edwards, 1840
  • Talorchestia quoyana H. Milne-Edwards, 1840

Description

Bellorchestia quoyana reaches lengths of 29 millimetres, with males being slightly larger than females. The body is typically light-yellowish brown with marbled markings of a darker brown generally assimilating the appearance sand. It has a single pair of black eyes and two distinct pairs of antennae. The first pair of antennae are short and extend a little beyond the first joint of antennae 2. The second pair are more robust and extent beyond the head and first three body segments in females and over half the body length in males. The second section of antennae 2 is twice the length of the first.[2]

Jumping action achieved by balancing on third to last pair of legs while turning the abdomen under the body so the end of the uropods and telson press on to the ground. The last two pairs of legs are held parallel to but not touching the ground. When the abdomen is suddenly straightened out the animal is propelled into the air. On landing the abdominal limbs and last two pairs of legs are used as shock absorbers to cushion the impact.[4]

Distribution

Bellorchestia quoyana is found on sandy beaches all around the coasts of New Zealand.[2]

References
  1. Jim Lowry. "Bellorchestia quoyana (H. Milne-Edwards, 1840)". WoRMS. World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved 26 November 2011.
  2. "Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute for the Year, 1916[electronic resource]". rsnz.natlib.govt.nz. Retrieved 2016-05-01.
  3. M. Miller & G. Batt (1973). Reef and Beach Life of New Zealand. Auckland, New Zealand: William Collins (New Zealand) Ltd.
  4. Healy A, Yaldwyn J. (1970) Australian Crustaceans in Colour. A.H. & A. W. Read p28
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