Amphipod crustacean mimic (Southern California)

February 4, 2006
From: Matt Segal

On a recent dive in Southern California (Anacapa Island), I came across the following amphipod crustacean, and after running it by a few people that I know, found that it was a Podocerus cristatus (thank you to Leslie Harris and Don Cadien for the ID).

Locality: Backside of Anacapa Island, California, USA. Depth: 25 ft. Length: 6 mm body, ~10 mm w/ front legs. 28 January 2006. High-surge outcrop. Photographer: Matt Segal

I knew that this species had been linked as a mimic amphipod on this website [message #2641] and [message # 2608], but I am curious as to what nudibranch species this colour form would mimic (notice that its legs are bright yellow in contrast to its body), and what substrate is it supposed to live on?

Thanks in advance.
Matt Segal

mattsegal@carbonos.com

Segal, M.J., 2006 (Feb 4) Amphipod crustacean mimic (Southern California). [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/15713

Dear Matt,
I didn't realise this amphipod had so many different colour forms. Just because two animals are very similarly coloured it does not mean they are mimics in the evolutionary sense of the word. Evolutionary mimics are two species - or one species and a model - which have gradually through evolutionary changes grown to look alike. It is possible that lookalikes can also evolve quite by chance. I don't even know if there are any studies to show that the two examples you mention from the Forum are really true mimics. So even if there are blue and yellow animals from California which look extremely similar to this colour form of the amphipod, it does not necessarily follow that one ins mimicking the other.
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2006 (Feb 4). Comment on Amphipod crustacean mimic (Southern California) by Matt Segal. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/15713

Factsheet

Symbiosis, commensalism, mutualism and parasitism

Related messages

  1. Re: Another goby on nudibranch
    From: Andy Eastwood, February 11, 2009
  2. Ceratosoma with Periclimenes imperator
    From: Corby James, September 17, 2005
  3. Commensalism in Californian nudibranchs
    From: James Lyle & Leslie Harris, July 30, 2005
  4. Amphipod commensal on Tritonia festiva
    From: James Lyle & Leslie Harris, July 30, 2005
  5. Another commensal scaleworm
    From: James Lyle & Leslie Harris, July 30, 2005
  6. Re: Another goby on nudibranch
    From: Bill Rudman, July 11, 2005
  7. Another goby on nudibranch
    From: Jerry Allen, July 5, 2005
  8. Commensal fish on Ceratosoma trilobatum
    From: John Weinberg, June 27, 2005
  9. Chromodoris coi with copepod
    From: Fredy Brauchli, March 22, 2004
  10. Mystery mark on Risbecia pulchella
    From: Stephanie Maleady, January 25, 2004
  11. It's a puzzle
    From: Mary Jane Adams, May 10, 2002
  12. Symbiotic stress
    From: Ali, April 10, 2002
  13. Ceratosoma trilobatum with commensal shrimp
    From: Mary Jane Adams, September 21, 2001
  14. Mutualism and symbiosis
    From: Lindsay Jennings, January 24, 2001
  15. Examples of Symbiosis
    From: Sutha, August 23, 2000
  16. Commensalistic Symbiosis
    From: Josh Williamsen, March 24, 2000
  17. Examples of endoecism
    From: Sonia, December 9, 1999
  18. Nudibranch with commensal shrimp
    From: Erik Schloegl, November 14, 1999
  19. Slugs and Microbes
    From: Daniel Vega Mendoza, June 5, 1999
  20. Information about commensalism
    From: Kara Hailey, February 20, 1999
  21. Commensalism
    From: Kerry, January 18, 1999
  22. Parasite and Mutualistic relationships
    From: Tammy Pearson, November 21, 1998
  23. "Commensalistic symbiosis"
    From: Laura, October 30, 1998
  24. symbiosis
    From: unidentified enquirer, October 25, 1998
  25. Symbiosis and commensalism
    From: , March 28, 1998

Show factsheet and all related messages