Ligia baudiniana

H. Milne Edwards, 1840

Central American Seaslater

A large intertidal isopod (sea slater) to the Greater Caribbean region, reaching 25–30 mm in body length. Distinguished from by long uropods exceeding two-thirds body length and brush-like structures on the first pair of legs in males. Exhibits strong fidelity to natural mangrove forests and rocky intertidal zones, with documented sensitivity to coastal development. Serves as intermediate for digenean trematodes.

Ligia baudiniana Dist by MatthewMMcM. Used under a CC BY-SA 3.0 license.

Ligia baudiniana by
Hans Hillewaert. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Ligia baudiniana: /ˈlaɪdʒiə ˌboʊdɪˈniːənə/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

Distinguished from Ligia oceanica by uropods longer than two-thirds body length (L. oceanica has uropods much shorter). Distinguished from Ligia exotica by presence of brush-like structures on first pair of legs in males (L. exotica males lack these, having instead a ). Coarsely body surface with large, closely-set .

Images

Habitat

Coastal mangrove forests and rocky intertidal zones. Found exclusively in natural mangrove ; absent from artificial substrates and developed shorelines even when these are present nearby.

Distribution

Greater Caribbean region including Caribbean islands, Bermuda, Bahamas, southern Florida (Florida , Everglades), and Gulf of Mexico coast of Florida (Sarasota-Manatee counties, representing ~300 km northward range extension from Florida Bay). Pacific coastlines of Central America to Ecuador.

Diet

Feeds on unicellular green coating intertidal rocks, rasped off with vertical movement of the body.

Behavior

Nocturnally active, emerging in large numbers at low tide to forage on exposed rocks. Retreats as water returns but requires moisture to maintain function; never found more than 21 m from shore. Cannot survive extended submersion in seawater. Hydrates by turning away from water and uropods to draw water up via oscillation of uropodal . Exhibits color change (lightening or darkening) in response to background substrate.

Ecological Role

Intermediate for digenean trematodes (Megalophallus spp.). for natural mangrove integrity; displaced by Ligia exotica in areas where coastal development removes mangrove habitats.

Similar Taxa

Ligia oceanica European with shorter uropods (less than two-thirds body length)
Ligia exotica with males lacking brush-like leg structures; occupies artificial where L. baudiniana is absent