Chiridotea coeca

Chiridotea coeca, the sand isopod, is a species of isopod crustacean found in the western Atlantic Ocean, from Nova Scotia to Florida.

Characteristics

Adult sand isopods are horizontally flattened. The thorax is almost round from above and the long, robust legs with large setae. The abdomen is short and pointed. Sand isopods reach in length and in width. They use the last pair of legs to dig tunnels in sand. When removed from the tunnels, sand isopods swim down to the substrate, where they dig underground again.

Ecology

Chiridotea coeca feeds on carrion, which it holds with its gnathopods while chewing pieces off with its mandibles.