Exosphaeroma

Stebbing, 1900

Spherical Isopods, marine pillbugs

Exosphaeroma is a of marine isopods in the Sphaeromatidae, found in shallow ocean waters worldwide. The genus exhibits highest diversity in the Southern Hemisphere and is notably one of few sphaeromatid genera occurring in the southern reaches of the Southern Ocean. Recent taxonomic work has described new from the northeastern Pacific, including one discovered in urban Los Angeles and another from 142-year-old Alaskan collections.

Exosphaeroma inornata by (c) Cricket Raspet, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Cricket Raspet. Used under a CC-BY license.Exosphaeroma inornata by no rights reserved, uploaded by Theo Summer. Used under a CC0 license.Exosphaeroma diminutum by (c) Sam Kieschnick, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Sam Kieschnick. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Exosphaeroma: /ˌɛksoʊsfɪˈroʊmə/

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Images

Habitat

Shallow ocean waters; intertidal zones. Exosphaeroma inornata has been observed in crevices, sand, and associated with various .

Distribution

Worldwide in shallow marine waters. Documented from San Diego, California north to San Juan Island, Puget Sound, with a distribution gap between Humboldt Bay and Puget Sound. occur in the Southern Ocean and show greatest diversity in the Southern Hemisphere.

Host Associations

  • Iais pubescens - commensalAsellotan isopod that lives commensally with Exosphaeroma obtusum

Ecological Role

for commensal organisms. Exosphaeroma obtusum serves as host to the commensal asellotan isopod Iais pubescens.

Human Relevance

Subject of recent taxonomic research, with new described from urban environments (Port of Los Angeles) and historical museum collections.

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Sources and further reading