Caught an amphipod molting on camera

[moretor1]

Was testing out the macro cam on my phone when I saw this guy and what I thought was the second half of its body dangling behind it.

Upon 2nd viewing I realized it was a molt!
Too bad I didn't catch the main action... but this is the best view I've gotten of these guys yet

 

[exnisstech]

You will get more response uploading the video to youtube then pasting the link here so people can view it in the thread. Not many folks want to download a 92mb file to watch someone's video. Just saying

 

[moretor1]

You will get more response uploading the video to youtube then pasting the link here so people can view it in the thread. Not many folks want to download a 92mb file to watch someone's video. Just saying

Thanks. Didn't know large MP4's didn't open on people's browsers.
Is that an apple thing?
Thought it was just mov files that needed downloading

Edit:I see now... buffering speed isn't the best lol

 

[moretor1]

youtube video for mobile

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

youtube video for mobile

That's actually an Isopod, but - regardless - super cool moment to catch on camera!

 

[moretor1]

That's actually an Isopod, but - regardless - super cool moment to catch on camera!

How can you differentiate them?
Is it just size?

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

How can you differentiate them?
Is it just size?

No, generally speaking, it's primarily the body shape - amphipods usually look more like shrimp with the tails curled or sagging down; isopods are pretty varied, but they don't generally look super shrimp-like.

In this case specifically, though, you can tell by the way each body/shell segment sits slightly separated at the edges, and by the antennae-like uropods (the sides of the tail) - this would typically be called a "Munnid Isopod" in the hobby, though that doesn't seem to be accurate. It's likely a Janiroidean isopod of some variety though.