Cilicaea curtispina

Cilicaea curtispina
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Size: 1.5 cm

Distribution: Coastal and gulf waters east of Ceduna

Habitat: Rocky coast amongst algae

Depth: Lower intertidal

Cilicaea curtispina
Cilicaea curtispina
Cilicaea curtispina
Cilicaea curtispina
Cilicaea curtispina

Like many other isopods of the family Sphaeromatidae, C. curtispina can be found under rocks in the intertidal zone, but is well-camouflaged. There are significant differences between males and females, but there are a number of characteristics which can be used to identify both sexes. For females, these include its three-lobed rear segment (pleotelson), and the teeth on both segments of its swimming appendages (uropods). For males, it's the long curved uropods with blunt ends, and the long projection on the end of the rear pereonite, which is rounded and not notched like Haswellia emarginata. Both males and females have antennae, which consist of two distinct segments, the larger segment having pointed teeth.