ponerinecat 的最愛

The stream that runs through the cave runs through a narrow channel in the floor. In part, the channel is full of rotting wood. This bug emerged from the rotting wood and walked along the wall next to the stream. When I tried to maneuver it into a better position for a photograph, it initially tried to hide in a crevice. When that did not work, it ran down the cave wall into the stream and stayed under the water for about 2 minutes before emerging. Another larger version of the same isopod species ran past while I was trying to photograph this one.

Comparison of paratype on right, with Cirolanides texensis on left. Species discovered by Zachary Schwartz in 2014. Second photo is a negative image to highlight and illustrate different body parts more clearly.

doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4543.4.2

Unusual individual with fused AMEs. Behavior was completely normal, depth perception seemed unimpaired while following and interacting with prospective prey insects. A genetic abnormality, or the result of a molting defect?

I figured these were something interesting when I saw them, though they were undescribed at the time. It turns out this a species endemic to this site, as well as the only US Asellid endemic to a thermal spring.