Sea-slater
Guides
Ligia baudiniana
Central American Seaslater
A large intertidal isopod (sea slater) native to the Greater Caribbean region, reaching 25–30 mm in body length. Distinguished from congeners by long uropods exceeding two-thirds body length and brush-like structures on the first pair of legs in males. Exhibits strong habitat fidelity to natural mangrove forests and rocky intertidal zones, with documented sensitivity to coastal development. Serves as intermediate host for digenean trematodes.
Ligia occidentalis
Western Sea Slater
Ligia occidentalis is a supralittoral isopod inhabiting rocky shorelines along the eastern Pacific coast. The species occupies the high intertidal zone, hiding in crevices above the high tide line during daytime to avoid desiccation and emerging nocturnally to feed. It is distinguished from the sympatric Ligia pallasii by longer uropods, larger eyes set closer together, and a sleeker body form. The species harbors mycoplasma-like bacteria as hepatopancreas symbionts and shows remarkable morphological stasis across highly genetically divergent allopatric lineages.