Site of the Week
The Lurker’s Guide to Stomatopods http://www.blueboard.com/mantis/
Stomatopods are pretty amazing creatures, and also amazingly pretty creatures. But behind their flashy exterior, colourful eyes and decorated appendages, lurks a fearsome predator, with weaponry to make any sensible sea dweller quake with terror. They are, according to the author, “weight for weight, probably the most formidable animals alive.” And this is the website to visit if you want to find out why.
Otherwise known as mantis shrimps, these crustaceans are admired and feared for their spectacular offensive equipment: two front limbs modified for delivering a swift and deadly blow to prey or enemies. The power of these limbs has amazed scientists, and dismayed aquarium keepers, both of whom have discovered the mantis shrimps ability to smash its way through toughened safety glass with ease. The Stomatopod Biology section explains the rest of the story, along with details of yet more of the mantis shrimp’s amazing features, including their ability to somersault their way along the beach at low tide, and see up to ten times as many colours as humans can.
Though still under construction in a number of places, the site offers a good overview of mantis shrimp life, and gives you access to other sites with even more information. The gallery section is worth a visit - some of the vividly coloured pictures really pack a punch. Nothing compared to the real thing, of course…
Richard Northover
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