Stenothoe valida ? - a false polyp flea - non-native species (Amphipod images)

Numerous specimens, male and female, of this non-native species of amphipod were found on the hydroid Ectopleura larynx on a partially submerged car tyre on the pontoon off Saltash Green, Saltash, Cornwall, 04.07.22. This species was thought present at Plymouth from 1949.

False polyp flea
Stenothoe valida
- lateral view male 1

False polyp flea
Stenothoe valida
- lateral view male 2

False polyp flea
Stenothoe valida
- lateral view male 3

False polyp flea
Stenothoe valida
- lateral view anterior male 1

False polyp flea
Stenothoe valida
- lateral view posterior male 1

False polyp flea
Stenothoe valida
- with Ectopleura larynx 1

False polyp flea
Stenothoe valida
- with Ectopleura larynx 2

False polyp flea
Stenothoe valida
- with Ectopleura larynx 3

False polyp flea
Stenothoe valida
- lateral view male 4

False polyp flea
Stenothoe valida
- lateral view male 5

False polyp flea
Stenothoe valida
- with 0.1mm division rule 1

False polyp flea
Stenothoe valida
- gnathopod 2 male 1

False polyp flea
Stenothoe valida
- gnathopod 2 palm male 1

False polyp flea
Stenothoe valida
- gnathopod 2 palm male 2

False polyp flea
Stenothoe valida
- gnathopod 1 male 1

False polyp flea
Stenothoe valida
- gnathopod 1 palm male 1

False polyp flea
Stenothoe valida
- gnathopod 1 palm male 2

False polyp flea
Stenothoe valida
- telson male 1

False polyp flea
Stenothoe valida
- uropod 3 male 1

False polyp flea
Stenothoe valida
- uropod 1 male 1

False polyp flea
Stenothoe valida
- epimeral plate 3 male 1

False polyp flea
Stenothoe valida
- maxilliped male 1

False polyp flea
Stenothoe valida
- antenna 1 male 1

False polyp flea
Stenothoe valida
- antenna 2 male 1

False polyp flea
Stenothoe valida
- habitat / location 1

Numerous specimens, male and female and juvenile were found in a small sample of Ectopleura larynx collected in the shade and from a depth of a maximum of 75mm at Newlyn Marina, Newlyn, Cornwall, 07.08.20.

'False polyp flea' has commonly been used to describe S. valida. Stenothoid amphipods are known to form commensal relationships with numerous groups, including anemones, hydroids, crabs and lobsters.

Whilst the identification appears to agree with Lincoln, BRITISH MARINE AMPHIPODA: GAMMARIDEA, British Museum (Natural History) London 1979, the identification is subject to verification. This is why a question mark has been added to the scientific name here.

Spooner in the Plymouth Marine Fauna reports Jassa marmorata and Stenothoe valida as often being found together on floating structures, boys etc. at Plymouth.

APHOTOMARINE

An educational resource dedicated mainly to the photography
and diversity of marine life that can be found in coastal waters
and intertidal areas of Great Britain and Ireland by David Fenwick.

APHOTOMARINE

An educational resource dedicated mainly to the photography and diversity of marine life that can be found in coastal waters and intertidal areas of Great Britain and Ireland by David Fenwick.

An educational resource dedicated mainly to the photography
and diversity of marine life that can be found in coastal waters
and intertidal areas of Great Britain and Ireland by David Fenwick.