Open-ocean

Guides

• Idotea metallica

  metallic isopod

  Idotea metallica is a neustonic marine isopod in the family Idoteidae, commonly known as the metallic isopod. It is recognized by its metallic blue coloration and blunt, squared-off telson. The species inhabits drifting objects at the sea surface, forming persistent local populations on floating patches of debris. It has a worldwide distribution in open ocean waters but is competitively inferior to coastal congeners such as Idotea baltica, limiting its persistence in nearshore environments.

  marineneustonicisopoddrifting-habitatmetapopulationcompetitionIdoteidaecosmopolitan-distributionfloating-debrisopen-ocean