Until the end of the nineteenth century, the assumption that there was no life in the depths of the seas and oceans was unshakable. However, a living individual of enormous size, caught in 1879 from the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico, proved the complete failure of this theory and served as its speedy refutation. The individual turned out to be a male, females could not be found until 1891. The giant isopod shocked many. There were many versions about what kind of creature it was.
Thinking theoretically
Of course, now the theory that the bottom of the oceans and seas at depth is devoid of vegetation and absolutely lifeless is more than absurd. After all, it is there, at the bottom of the sea, that the carcasses of large marine animals fall after their natural death. It is impossible to imagine that such an amount of organics will not be of interest to anyone and may be left without proper processing.
Scientists and biologists diligently tried to prove that the bottom of the ocean is also inhabited. This theory was confirmed by a giant isopod. "Mokritsa" became a real star in 1879, people could not believe that suchcreatures have found their home under an unimaginable depth of water.
Seabed orderlies
Huge crustaceans in their appearance are similar to the common wood lice, which have reached a huge size or mutated. Currently, there are about nine species of these huge crustaceans.
Giant isopod prefers deep and cold waters of three oceans: Atlantic, Indian and Pacific. The distribution of crustaceans is poorly understood. And so far, no species of giant isopod is known that would have lived in the eastern part of the Atlantic or Pacific oceans.
These creatures are found at a depth of 170 to 2500 meters in different parts of the oceans. The largest number of individuals was seen at a depth of 360 to 750 meters. These crustaceans grow up to half a meter in length. The largest specimen reached a weight of more than one and a half kilograms and was more than 70 cm long.
What do isopods eat?
It is generally accepted that they are scavengers, but do not stop at this type of food. They are great at hunting small sponges, sea cucumbers, and other slow-moving prey. Darkness reigns on the seabed, you can not find very much food. Therefore, isopods have perfectly adapted to such habitat conditions and calmly endure a forced hunger strike.
By the way, crustaceans can go without food for quite a long time - up to two months. If they come across a sufficient amount of food, then they gorge themselves for the future. As a rule, the carcass of a dead large animal can be foundup to a hundred crustaceans stuffing the abdomen. The giant isopod loves to eat carrion. Photos of these creatures today can be found in many book manuals.
Body structure
The body of the isopod is covered with a rigid external exoskeleton, which is divided into segments. The upper segment is completely connected to the head, the lower parts of the skeleton form a strong tail shield covering the shortened delicate abdomen. Like wood lice, in case of danger, a giant isopod curls up into a tight ring covered with a strong shell. This helps her protect herself from predators attacking the most vulnerable spot under the shell. A giant isopod is able to scare an unknowing person. Description and photos of the creature can be seen in this article.
The eyes of isopods are huge, multifaceted and quite complex in structure. They are located at a great distance from each other. Crustaceans have excellent frontal vision. However, at the great depths where they live, relying mainly on him is pointless. It's pitch dark there. Large and small paired antennae located on the sides of the head play the role of sensory organs, while functionally they can replace smell, touch, reaction to heat and movement.
Such interesting legs
Giant isopod has seven pairs of relatively small legs. The first pair is transformed into maxillae, they help to capture and bring food to four pairs of jaws. The jawbones are more like eating utensils. Stomachcrustaceans are made up of five equal segments. The body structure of isopods is peculiar. The color of the shell of a giant crustacean is rather pale, with a lilac or brown tint.
The giant isopod is not immediately noticeable. Perhaps that is why she was ignored for a long time.
Crustacean breeding
The highest reproductive activity in giant isopods occurs in spring and winter. At this time there is enough food. Giant isopod eggs are the largest of the marine invertebrate species. Since there are a lot of people who want to eat such a delicacy, the female isopods carry the entire clutch of eggs in a brood pouch until small representatives of crustaceans hatch from them.
It is only known that not larvae emerge from the bag, but young, fully formed isopod crustaceans. However, there is a difference from adults - the absence of the last pair of pectoral legs. It is not known how long the giant isopod lives. Reproduction of crustaceans occurs only in the natural environment, although many are trying to create appropriate conditions for breeding these creatures in artificial reservoirs.
Captivity
Giant isopods live at great depths, so little is known about the behavior of crustaceans in their natural habitat. In aquariums or large aquariums in some cities you can meet these representatives. They tolerate captivity well, are active and take food with great pleasure.
But knowna case when a representative of crustaceans did without food for five years. He was caught in the Gulf of Mexico and transported to Japan, in the city of Toba. The isopod, which was doing well in captivity, suddenly began to refuse food in 2009. All attempts to feed her ended in failure. Giant isopod Vicki died after 5 years, the reason is banal - starvation.
It is known that these creatures in their natural habitat can go without food for a long time and feel great. When the hunger strike of the crustacean dragged on for several years, scientists began to put forward assumptions one more interesting than the other. It was thought that the isopod secretly eats food, so it's hard to notice when this happens. Another version is even more interesting: the isopod grows plankton on its own and feeds on it. But to do all this in a closed aquarium under the close attention of specialists is almost impossible. Therefore, assumptions both arose and collapsed.
The version of the marine ecologist Taeko Timur is the closest to the truth. Since the state of the animal is close to hibernation, then its life processes are slowed down. A layer of fat accumulates in the liver, which is consumed over time, and replenished only during the next meal. Therefore, the activity of the isopod does not decrease.
Giant isopods are not caught commercially, only privately. You can still taste them. Daredevils who decide to eat the meat of these crustaceans, which are unpleasant at first glance, note the tasteresemblance to chicken, shrimp and crayfish. These creatures are especially popular in Japan, where they even produce plush toys in their honor.
