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Crinoid Squat Lobster

Allogalathea elegans

Description:

Also known as Elegant Squat Lobster and Feather Star Squat Lobster. This is a commensal creature, living on the arms of crinoids or feather stars. They feed on zooplankton, and grow to a length of about 2cm. Their bodies are egg-shaped and their colors and body patterns match their hosts'.

Habitat:

Found in the arms of feather stars on coral and rocky reefs, at depths of 5 to 30m. Widespread in the Indo-West Pacific region.

Notes:

This critter was on a feather star (whose color and gold-striped arms it matched) when we spotted it, off the coast of Dayang Beach, Talikud Island, Samal, Philippines. [Update] Video taken on 7 July 2012, at the same dive site.

No species ID suggestions

4 Comments

Blogie
Blogie 11 months ago

Hi Dixie! Wow, thanks very much for your very flattering comment! :)

Gracias! ありがとうございます!謝謝!Merci beaucoup! :)

Blogie
Blogie 11 months ago

I've updated this spotting with a video.

Blogie
Blogie a year ago

Thanks Alice & Renato! :)

Interesting!

Davao Del Norte, Philippines

Lat: 6.95, Long: 125.67

Spotted on Apr 28, 2012
Submitted on Apr 29, 2012

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