(Kvenvær - Sør-Trøndelag / 5 meters / 3.10.2002)

Phylum: Arthropoda

Class: Crustacea

Subclass: Malacostraca

Order: Isopoda

Suborder: Valvifera

Family: Idoteidae

Scientific name: Idotea balthica

 

Norwegian: tanglus

Distribution: It exists along the entire Norwegian coastline. You can find it in subtidal zone, feeding on algae.

Characteristics: The male can reach a length of 4 cm. The female is smaller and usually darker. The coloration can be yellow, green or brown with small white spots on the back. It can be distinguished from other members of the Idotea family by the shape of the tale segment, telson, which is dorsally keeled, with more or less straight sides. It ends in a distinct spine.

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