Geographic Range
Shortnose mantis shrimp are found in marine waters of the Indo-West and Central Pacific,
including Hawaii and the Philippines, as well as the eastern Pacific Ocean, along
the coasts of southwestern North America and Central America. They are also found
in the western Atlantic Ocean, along the southeastern coast of the United States,
in the Gulf of Mexico, and the Caribbean, as well as along the eastern coasts of Central
America and South America, to Brazil.
- Biogeographic Regions
- nearctic
- palearctic
- oriental
- ethiopian
- neotropical
- australian
- oceanic islands
- indian ocean
- atlantic ocean
- pacific ocean
- Other Geographic Terms
- holarctic
Habitat
Shortnose mantis shrimp are typically found at depths less than 100 m, but may be
found at depths from 40-424 m. Adults are benthic and prefer soft substrates, such
as sand (fine or coarse) or mud. When living in coral reef environments, these mantis
shrimp often occupy coral rock crevices. They tend to prefer water temperatures of
23–28°C. Larvae are pelagic.
- Habitat Regions
- temperate
- tropical
- saltwater or marine
Physical Description
Shortnose mantis shrimp have elongate, flattened, lobster-like bodies, with three
pairs of walking legs, a very short carapace, and a long, flattened tail. Average
length is 25-70 mm. A pair of large, stalked, globular-shaped compound eyes are present
on the head. The eyes have false pseudopupils. As a type of mantis shrimp, individuals
of this species possess a specialized set of first appendages known as raptorial appendages.
These appendages are multi-jointed and resemble praying mantis claws. Shortnose mantis
shrimp have smasher-type appendages, comprised of hard, calcified heels at the base
of the dactyl and sharp teeth on the inner margin. The raptorial appendages are red
and white banded, and are held under the sides of the carapace when not in use for
striking. Body color is mottled brown; uropods (appendages on the last body segment,
flanking the telson) are pink. Thoracic and abdominal body segments are smooth, with
no longitudinal indentations; this excludes the telson, which has three such indentations.
- Other Physical Features
- ectothermic
- heterothermic
- bilateral symmetry
- Sexual Dimorphism
- sexes alike
Development
Shortnose mantis shrimp pass through a pelagic juvenile stage and instars (molts)
during development, before completing metamorphosis into adults. However, not much
else is known about the developmental processes of this species specifically. Assuming
that their life cycle is similar to that of other members of the order
Stomatopoda
(Mantis shrimps), they undergo a growth and development period of about three months
between hatchling and adult stages. Shortnose mantis shrimp larvae likely have narrow,
elongated, translucent bodies, which resemble the adult body plan in simplified form,
as is the case in their close relatives,
Harpiosquilla
species of mantis shrimp. Postlarvae of shortnose mantis shrimp are relatively large
(13-27 mm. Larvae generally do not disperse widely, although they do complete diurnal
vertical migrations.
- Development - Life Cycle
- metamorphosis
Reproduction
Little is known about the specific mating system of shortnose mantis shrimp. Generally
speaking, however, stomatopods have separate sexes, with internal fertilization occurring
between a male-female pair. Mating systems range from monogamous to promiscuous, depending
upon the species, with no system having been definitively attributed to shortnose
mantis shrimp. In closely related
Haptosquilla
species of mantis shrimp, males search for females and courtship can be quite lengthy
(up to 30 minutes). In these species, females typically prefer smaller males, and
males leave immediately following copulation.
- Mating System
- polygynandrous (promiscuous)
Little is known of the reproductive cycle or behaviors of shortnose mantis shrimp.
However, stomatopods generally utilize a system of delayed fertilization, wherein
females store sperm in specialized seminal vesicles after copulation and subsequently
use this sperm to fertilize eggs externally, releasing eggs and sperm together. The
fertilized eggs create an egg mass that is held together by an adhesive released by
glands on the female's thorax. The mass is carried by the female, who also cleans
and aerates the eggs until they hatch.
- Key Reproductive Features
- iteroparous
- gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate)
- sexual
- fertilization
- oviparous
- sperm-storing
- delayed fertilization
Little is known of the parental care behaviors of this species, specifically. However,
stomatopods generally guard fertilized eggs until they hatch. Females invest energy
by yolking eggs and protecting, cleaning, and aerating them until they hatch; they
typically do not eat while carrying egg masses.
- Parental Investment
-
pre-fertilization
- provisioning
-
pre-hatching/birth
-
protecting
- female
-
protecting
Lifespan/Longevity
There is currently no information available on the longevity of this species. Other
Odontodactylus
species, such as peacock mantis shrimp (
Odontodactylus scyllarus
) are known to live at least 3-4 years in captivity and are suspected to live at least
5-6 years in the wild.
Behavior
Shortnose mantis shrimp are highly active during daytime and twilight hours. They
build and occupy simple U-shaped burrows. They are territorial and will defend their
burrows from intruders by giving a threat display or by attacking with their powerful
raptorial appendages. Shortnose mantis shrimp attack by extending their raptorial
appendages in high-speed strikes, making contact with the dactyl's dense, calcified
heel to deliver powerful, shell-smashing strikes to predators and prey. These strikes
are extremely fast; strikes of peacock mantis shrimp (
Odontodactylus scyllarus
), which are also smashers, can reach speeds of 23 m/s (similar to the speed of a
.22 caliber bullet). The speed and force of the initial strike is so great (up to
1,500 Newtons) that a secondary blow is created by a cavitation bubble. This bubble
may stun or kill a prey item as well. To give threat displays, these mantis shrimp
raise their raptorial appendages and keep them held open to expose a colored spot.
Little is known of the behavior of shortnose mantis shrimp larvae specifically, but
larvae of most mantis shrimp make vertical migrations throughout the water column,
spending daytime hours near the bottom and darker time periods nearer to the water
surface.
- Key Behaviors
- fossorial
- natatorial
- diurnal
- crepuscular
- motile
- sedentary
- solitary
- territorial
Home Range
Shortnose mantis shrimp defend their burrows as described above. Burrows are quite
small, not much larger than the animal itself.
Communication and Perception
Little research has been completed regarding the communication and perception abilities
of shortnose mantis shrimp, specifically. However, it is known that stomatopods can
recognize one another using chemical cues. Their chemosensory abilities are highly
developed, allowing them to recognize previous mates and opponents, even from a distance.
Some stomatopods have also been observed intentionally sending chemical signals by
whirling their maxillipeds, propelling chemical deposits away from their bodies. The
eyes of this species are also noteable for their superior spectral range (ability
to analyze many different wavelengths of light), in addition to the ability to process
polarized light.
- Perception Channels
- visual
- polarized light
- tactile
- chemical
Food Habits
Shortnose mantis shrimp are generalists, feeding on small crustaceans and gastropods
that are accessible in their benthic environment. Their raptorial appendages allow
them to feed on hard bodied animals such as crabs, clams, lobsters, and snails.
- Primary Diet
-
carnivore
- eats non-insect arthropods
- molluscivore
- Animal Foods
- mollusks
- aquatic crustaceans
Predation
Little is known regarding specific predators of this species, but shortnose mantis
shrimp are known to use threat displays, raising their raptorial appendages in response
to perceived predatory threats.
- Anti-predator Adaptations
- aposematic
Ecosystem Roles
Shortnose mantis shrimp are members of the benthic environment, building burrows and
preying on other smaller crustaceans and gastropods. Abandoned burrows may be occupied
by other organisms, such as small shrimps. There is currently no available data regarding
known parasites of this species.
- Ecosystem Impact
- creates habitat
Economic Importance for Humans: Positive
Shortnose mantis shrimp are common in the aquarium and pet trade. Along with other
species of stomatopods, they are also used in research on visual photopigments and
polarized light processing.
- Positive Impacts
- pet trade
- research and education
Economic Importance for Humans: Negative
Shortnose mantis shrimp have been known to break aquarium glass and injure humans
using their raptorial appendages, though they are not particularly aggressive.
- Negative Impacts
- injures humans
Conservation Status
Shortnose mantis shrimp have not special conservation status.
Additional Links
Contributors
Daniel Bair (author), University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, Alison Gould (editor), University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, Jeremy Wright (editor), University of Michigan-Ann Arbor.
- Nearctic
-
living in the Nearctic biogeographic province, the northern part of the New World. This includes Greenland, the Canadian Arctic islands, and all of the North American as far south as the highlands of central Mexico.
- native range
-
the area in which the animal is naturally found, the region in which it is endemic.
- Palearctic
-
living in the northern part of the Old World. In otherwords, Europe and Asia and northern Africa.
- native range
-
the area in which the animal is naturally found, the region in which it is endemic.
- oriental
-
found in the oriental region of the world. In other words, India and southeast Asia.
- native range
-
the area in which the animal is naturally found, the region in which it is endemic.
- Ethiopian
-
living in sub-Saharan Africa (south of 30 degrees north) and Madagascar.
- native range
-
the area in which the animal is naturally found, the region in which it is endemic.
- Neotropical
-
living in the southern part of the New World. In other words, Central and South America.
- native range
-
the area in which the animal is naturally found, the region in which it is endemic.
- Australian
-
Living in Australia, New Zealand, Tasmania, New Guinea and associated islands.
- native range
-
the area in which the animal is naturally found, the region in which it is endemic.
- oceanic islands
-
islands that are not part of continental shelf areas, they are not, and have never been, connected to a continental land mass, most typically these are volcanic islands.
- native range
-
the area in which the animal is naturally found, the region in which it is endemic.
- native range
-
the area in which the animal is naturally found, the region in which it is endemic.
- Atlantic Ocean
-
the body of water between Africa, Europe, the southern ocean (above 60 degrees south latitude), and the western hemisphere. It is the second largest ocean in the world after the Pacific Ocean.
- native range
-
the area in which the animal is naturally found, the region in which it is endemic.
- Pacific Ocean
-
body of water between the southern ocean (above 60 degrees south latitude), Australia, Asia, and the western hemisphere. This is the world's largest ocean, covering about 28% of the world's surface.
- native range
-
the area in which the animal is naturally found, the region in which it is endemic.
- holarctic
-
a distribution that more or less circles the Arctic, so occurring in both the Nearctic and Palearctic biogeographic regions.
Found in northern North America and northern Europe or Asia.
- temperate
-
that region of the Earth between 23.5 degrees North and 60 degrees North (between the Tropic of Cancer and the Arctic Circle) and between 23.5 degrees South and 60 degrees South (between the Tropic of Capricorn and the Antarctic Circle).
- tropical
-
the region of the earth that surrounds the equator, from 23.5 degrees north to 23.5 degrees south.
- saltwater or marine
-
mainly lives in oceans, seas, or other bodies of salt water.
- benthic
-
Referring to an animal that lives on or near the bottom of a body of water. Also an aquatic biome consisting of the ocean bottom below the pelagic and coastal zones. Bottom habitats in the very deepest oceans (below 9000 m) are sometimes referred to as the abyssal zone. see also oceanic vent.
- reef
-
structure produced by the calcium carbonate skeletons of coral polyps (Class Anthozoa). Coral reefs are found in warm, shallow oceans with low nutrient availability. They form the basis for rich communities of other invertebrates, plants, fish, and protists. The polyps live only on the reef surface. Because they depend on symbiotic photosynthetic algae, zooxanthellae, they cannot live where light does not penetrate.
- ectothermic
-
animals which must use heat acquired from the environment and behavioral adaptations to regulate body temperature
- heterothermic
-
having a body temperature that fluctuates with that of the immediate environment; having no mechanism or a poorly developed mechanism for regulating internal body temperature.
- bilateral symmetry
-
having body symmetry such that the animal can be divided in one plane into two mirror-image halves. Animals with bilateral symmetry have dorsal and ventral sides, as well as anterior and posterior ends. Synapomorphy of the Bilateria.
- metamorphosis
-
A large change in the shape or structure of an animal that happens as the animal grows. In insects, "incomplete metamorphosis" is when young animals are similar to adults and change gradually into the adult form, and "complete metamorphosis" is when there is a profound change between larval and adult forms. Butterflies have complete metamorphosis, grasshoppers have incomplete metamorphosis.
- polygynandrous
-
the kind of polygamy in which a female pairs with several males, each of which also pairs with several different females.
- iteroparous
-
offspring are produced in more than one group (litters, clutches, etc.) and across multiple seasons (or other periods hospitable to reproduction). Iteroparous animals must, by definition, survive over multiple seasons (or periodic condition changes).
- sexual
-
reproduction that includes combining the genetic contribution of two individuals, a male and a female
- fertilization
-
union of egg and spermatozoan
- external fertilization
-
fertilization takes place outside the female's body
- oviparous
-
reproduction in which eggs are released by the female; development of offspring occurs outside the mother's body.
- sperm-storing
-
mature spermatozoa are stored by females following copulation. Male sperm storage also occurs, as sperm are retained in the male epididymes (in mammals) for a period that can, in some cases, extend over several weeks or more, but here we use the term to refer only to sperm storage by females.
- delayed fertilization
-
a substantial delay (longer than the minimum time required for sperm to travel to the egg) takes place between copulation and fertilization, used to describe female sperm storage.
- fossorial
-
Referring to a burrowing life-style or behavior, specialized for digging or burrowing.
- natatorial
-
specialized for swimming
- diurnal
-
- active during the day, 2. lasting for one day.
- crepuscular
-
active at dawn and dusk
- motile
-
having the capacity to move from one place to another.
- sedentary
-
remains in the same area
- solitary
-
lives alone
- territorial
-
defends an area within the home range, occupied by a single animals or group of animals of the same species and held through overt defense, display, or advertisement
- visual
-
uses sight to communicate
- chemical
-
uses smells or other chemicals to communicate
- visual
-
uses sight to communicate
- polarized light
-
light waves that are oriented in particular direction. For example, light reflected off of water has waves vibrating horizontally. Some animals, such as bees, can detect which way light is polarized and use that information. People cannot, unless they use special equipment.
- tactile
-
uses touch to communicate
- chemical
-
uses smells or other chemicals to communicate
- aposematic
-
having coloration that serves a protective function for the animal, usually used to refer to animals with colors that warn predators of their toxicity. For example: animals with bright red or yellow coloration are often toxic or distasteful.
- pet trade
-
the business of buying and selling animals for people to keep in their homes as pets.
- carnivore
-
an animal that mainly eats meat
- molluscivore
-
eats mollusks, members of Phylum Mollusca
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