Cubaris murina
| Cubaris murina | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Malacostraca |
| Superorder: | Peracarida |
| Order: | Isopoda |
| Suborder: | Oniscidea |
| Family: | Armadillidae |
| Genus: | Cubaris |
| Species: | C. murina
|
| Binomial name | |
| Cubaris murina Brandt, 1833
| |
Cubaris murina, commonly known as the little sea isopod or little sea roly poly, is a species of woodlouse in the family Armadillidae. It is found in North America, Africa, South America, Australasia, tropical Asia, and the Pacific Ocean.[1][2][3]
Description[edit]
Cubaris murina may reach a length of 11 millimeters and a width of 5 millimeters.[4] It is capable of rolling into a ball when disturbed; this ability is known as conglobation.
Distribution[edit]
C. murina is known to occur in Cuba, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, Saint Thomas Island in the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Oahu, in North America; Brazil and Cayenne, French Guiana in South America; the Seychelle Islands in the Indian Ocean, and Sumatra, Indonesia, in Southeast Asia. [4] It is possible that the species was introduced to the Americas from Asia.[5]
As pets[edit]
Cubaris murina has become popular as a pet in the exotic animal hobby. They have practical applications in improving the health of terrariums by serving as a bioactive clean-up crew, and are also valued for the attractive appearance of some of its color morphs (slang for observed polymorphism). Known morphs of Cubaris murina in hobbyist collections include:
- Papaya - A dull pink variety that is believed by some to be the expression of some form of albinism
- Glacier - An almost completely white variety with white eyes, legs, and antennae
- Anemone - A variety with a calico or speckled visual pattern of orange and grey
- Florida Orange - An orange variety isolated from a few wild caught individuals in Florida,[6] which gives them their name
References[edit]
- ^ "Cubaris murina Report". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 2019-09-23.
- ^ "Cubaris murina". GBIF. Retrieved 2019-09-23.
- ^ "Cubaris murina species Information". BugGuide.net. Retrieved 2019-09-23.
- ^ a b Richardson, Harriet (1905). A Monograph on the Isopods of North America. U.S. Government Printing Office. p. 645. Retrieved 27 February 2024.
- ^ Leistkow, Andreas; Wägele, J. Wolfgang (March 1999). "Checklist of the terrestrial isopods of the new world (Crustacea, Isopoda, Oniscidea)". Revista Brasileira de Zoologia. 16: 53. doi:10.1590/S0101-81751999000100001. Retrieved 26 February 2024 – via ResearchGate.
- ^ "A Guide to the Cubaris Murina "Florida Orange"". The Great Invertebrate. 13 October 2022. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
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