| The Abyss - Big Bugs |
| Written by Jonathan C. Wojcik - Photo credits unknown or from public news articles unless otherwise noted. If you know their sources and need them credited or removed, please e-mail me. |
The Isopoda are best known for the tiny woodlice, sowbugs or pillbugs found on land, also known
in some regions as chuggypegs, roly polies and even granfer gravies. Actually crustaceans, like
crabs and lobsters, there are thousands of species on land and in the sea, but all pale in
comparison to the ghostly and beautiful behemoth that is Bathynomus giganteus, an example of
deep sea gigantism. Dominant scavengers of the sea floor, these crawlers grow over a foot in
length and swarm over large animal carcasses, sometimes gorging until they can scarcely walk.
in some regions as chuggypegs, roly polies and even granfer gravies. Actually crustaceans, like
crabs and lobsters, there are thousands of species on land and in the sea, but all pale in
comparison to the ghostly and beautiful behemoth that is Bathynomus giganteus, an example of
deep sea gigantism. Dominant scavengers of the sea floor, these crawlers grow over a foot in
length and swarm over large animal carcasses, sometimes gorging until they can scarcely walk.
Like many other granfer gravies, female giganteus develop a pouch called a marsupium to carry
their eggs, though little else is known of their reproductive habits.
their eggs, though little else is known of their reproductive habits.
Also unusually large is the sea spider Colossendeis colossea, resembling H.R. Giger's
facehuggers with its fleshy complexion and leg span of two feet. Not true arachnids but arguably
close, sea spiders feed by sucking fluids from their prey, and carry most of their internal organs
inside of their long legs, having very little body between them.
facehuggers with its fleshy complexion and leg span of two feet. Not true arachnids but arguably
close, sea spiders feed by sucking fluids from their prey, and carry most of their internal organs
inside of their long legs, having very little body between them.
| Photo by Mylène Bourque |
Another example of arthropod gigantism is the ostracod Gigantocypris agassizii, another of my
personal favorite creatures. While most Ostracoda or "seed shrimp" are smaller than the head of a
pin, this leviathan is nearly the size of an average grape! What, that's not impressive? Come on,
imagine a dust mite or a paramecium that size!
Seed shrimp protect their bodies with a round, transparent shell that opens lengthwise, like a clam,
and catch tiny food particles in their feathery legs. Gigantocypris is most unusual for its very large,
reflective yellow eyes, giving it a lovely Jack O' Lantern color scheme.
personal favorite creatures. While most Ostracoda or "seed shrimp" are smaller than the head of a
pin, this leviathan is nearly the size of an average grape! What, that's not impressive? Come on,
imagine a dust mite or a paramecium that size!
Seed shrimp protect their bodies with a round, transparent shell that opens lengthwise, like a clam,
and catch tiny food particles in their feathery legs. Gigantocypris is most unusual for its very large,
reflective yellow eyes, giving it a lovely Jack O' Lantern color scheme.