User:Quackkquackk/Enoplometopus occidentalis
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Description
[edit]Enoplometopus occidentalis, commonly known as the red reef lobster, Hawaiian reef lobster, Western lobster, or hairy reef lobster, is a lobster species native to the Indo-West Pacific Ocean. Its striking neon red or orange body is easily identifiable, in addition to its distinctive white markings and yellow hair-like structures.[1] [2] The species was first discovered by ichthyologist Jack Randall, who originally classified it as Nephrops occidentalis. [3]
Anatomy & Morphology
[edit]The red reef lobster is shy and often hides in the crevices of rocks, where it feeds on small fishes and remains mostly unbothered. [1] Its first pair of legs has slender, elongated claws and adult males can grow up to 14 cm.[4] The smooth, rounded abdominal segments lead to a rounded tail with one central spine and three movable side spines. In males, the first swimming limb looks leaf-like, while in females, it appears thread-like; the first pair of these limbs are modified for reproduction. [5]
Distribution
[edit]The red reef lobster is commonly found in the tropical waters of the Indo-West Pacific, including regions such as the eastern coast of Africa, Indonesia, Hawaii, the Philippines, and more recently, the Indian Ocean [1] [5]. Its distribution has expanded due to its popularity in the aquarium trade, where it is prized for its striking colors, contributing to its presence in many regions. [6]
Habitat
[edit]This species resides in shallow tropical waters, often at depths ranging from 10 to 100 feet [4]. It favors complex habitats such as coral reefs, where the intricate structure provide crevices and hiding spots. These habitat offer protection from predators and supports the species diet to forage for food, including small fish and invertebrates. [5]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c Holthuis, Lipke (1983-01-01). "Notes on the genus Enoplometopus, with descriptions of a new subgenus and two new species (Crustacea Decapoda, Axiidae)". Zoologische Mededelingen. 56 (22): 281–298. ISSN 0024-0672.
- ^ "Red Reef Lobster, Enoplometopus occidentalis". www.marinelifephotography.com. Retrieved 2024-11-11.
- ^ "WoRMS - World Register of Marine Species - Enoplometopus occidentalis (Randall, 1840)". www.marinespecies.org. Retrieved 2024-11-11.
- ^ a b "Enoplometopus occidentalis, Red reef lobster". www.sealifebase.se. Retrieved 2024-11-11.
- ^ a b c Radhakrishnan V, E; Jayasankar, P (2014). "First record of the reef lobster Enoplometopus occidentalis (Randall, 1840) from Indian waters" (PDF). The Marine Biological Association of India: 89–91.
- ^ Hoover, J. P (2008). Hawaii's sea creatures: A guide to Hawaii's marine invertebrates. Honolulu: Mutual Publishing.