Cubaris murina | |
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Scientific classification
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Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Class: | Malacostraca |
Order: | Isopoda |
Suborder: | Oniscidea |
Family: | Armadillidae |
Genus: | Cubaris |
Species: | C. murina
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Binomial name | |
Cubaris murina Brandt, 1833
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Cubaris murina, commonly known as the little sea isopod or little sea roly poly, is a species of woodlouse in the family Armadillidae. It is found in North America, Africa, South America, Australasia, tropical Asia, and the Pacific Ocean. [1] [2] [3]
Cubaris murina may reach a length of 11 millimeters and a width of 5 millimeters. [4] It is capable of rolling into a ball when disturbed; this ability is known as conglobation.
C. murina is known to occur in Cuba, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, Saint Thomas Island in the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Oahu, in North America; Brazil and Cayenne, French Guiana in South America; the Seychelle Islands in the Indian Ocean, and Sumatra, Indonesia, in Southeast Asia. [4] It is possible that the species was introduced to the Americas from Asia. [5]
Cubaris murina has become popular as a pet in the exotic animal hobby. They have practical applications in improving the health of terrariums by serving as a bioactive clean-up crew, and are also valued for the attractive appearance of some of its color morphs (slang for observed polymorphism). Known morphs of Cubaris murina in hobbyist collections include:
Cubaris murina | |
---|---|
![]() | |
Scientific classification
![]() | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Class: | Malacostraca |
Order: | Isopoda |
Suborder: | Oniscidea |
Family: | Armadillidae |
Genus: | Cubaris |
Species: | C. murina
|
Binomial name | |
Cubaris murina Brandt, 1833
|
Cubaris murina, commonly known as the little sea isopod or little sea roly poly, is a species of woodlouse in the family Armadillidae. It is found in North America, Africa, South America, Australasia, tropical Asia, and the Pacific Ocean. [1] [2] [3]
Cubaris murina may reach a length of 11 millimeters and a width of 5 millimeters. [4] It is capable of rolling into a ball when disturbed; this ability is known as conglobation.
C. murina is known to occur in Cuba, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, Saint Thomas Island in the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Oahu, in North America; Brazil and Cayenne, French Guiana in South America; the Seychelle Islands in the Indian Ocean, and Sumatra, Indonesia, in Southeast Asia. [4] It is possible that the species was introduced to the Americas from Asia. [5]
Cubaris murina has become popular as a pet in the exotic animal hobby. They have practical applications in improving the health of terrariums by serving as a bioactive clean-up crew, and are also valued for the attractive appearance of some of its color morphs (slang for observed polymorphism). Known morphs of Cubaris murina in hobbyist collections include: