Little critter from a tidal pool

[Bulucanagria]

Went to Crane Beach in Ipswich, MA today with a few friends. Very nice and interesting place. I didn't get as many pictures as I usually would as I was reacquainting myself with how difficult it is to walk in very fine sand (especially up a hill) and how important it is to not neglect the tops of one's feet when using sunblock.

While walking through one of the tidal pools my friend noticed this little (1") creature swimming around the shallow edges. It was moving pretty fast but I was lucky enough to get one ID worthy photo. Can anybody help me with that?



Later that same friend also spotted a Clam Worm (as I IDed it later) which, to her shock and disgust, I picked up for her to examine at closer range. After putting it back where I had found it, she insisted that I pick it back up and take it out further so that it wasn't stranded on the beach by the receding tide. Knowing that the worm probably belonged right where I'd found him, I faked it. My friend is a wonderful person but is also a force of nature herself.

Unfortunately I didn't get a picture of the Clam Worm as I had stashed my camera in my satchel to protect it from the surf splashing against my knees. To retrieve it would have taken both hands, necessitating somebody besides me holding the specimen. I didn't need to ask to know that I would have no volunteers.

[suunto]

Possibly a crustacean in the order Isopoda - terrestrial examples of this group include sowbugs, pillbugs, woodlice, etc.

[Bulucanagria]

Thank you, suunto. That lead got me exploring which led to this...

Giant isopod - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Now that's a pillbug!

[recurve]

Cool photo! Suunto could probably confirm this but don't the terrestrial members of the order isopoda have gills or some modified version of them?

[dapjwy]

Originally Posted by suunto

Possibly a crustacean in the order Isopoda - terrestrial examples of this group include sowbugs, pillbugs, woodlice, etc.

Cool...it sort of reminded me of a pillbug when I saw the picture.

Originally Posted by Bulucanagria

Thank you, suunto. That lead got me exploring which led to this...

Now that's a pillbug!

I'll say!

[suunto]

Originally Posted by recurve

Cool photo! Suunto could probably confirm this but don't the terrestrial members of the order isopoda have gills or some modified version of them?

Yes they do - That's why they must have access to a moist environment as their gills must be kept moist in order to function.

[dapjwy]

Originally Posted by recurve

Cool photo! Suunto could probably confirm this but don't the terrestrial members of the order isopoda have gills or some modified version of them?

Originally Posted by suunto

Yes they do - That's why they must have access to a moist environment as their gills must be kept moist in order to function.

I tell you...I learn so much on this forum.

[Kildale]

I took one like this and noticed something at the bootm of the animal. The second shot shows us looking at it in the reflection.

[biigblueyes]

Originally Posted by Bulucanagria

To retrieve it would have taken both hands, necessitating somebody besides me holding the specimen. I didn't need to ask to know that I would have no volunteers.

I do believe you were correct!

[dapjwy]

Originally Posted by Kildale

The second shot shows us looking at it in the reflection.

Cool photo of you all in the reflection...perhaps you should enter it here: http://www.wildlifegardeners.org/forum/member-photos/89-wonder-who-will.html