Talitridae
Guides
Americorchestia longicornis
Common Atlantic sandhopper
Americorchestia longicornis, the common Atlantic sandhopper, is a beach-dwelling amphipod in the family Talitridae. It inhabits sandy coastal environments along the Atlantic seaboard, where it functions as a detritivore and scavenger. The species is distinguished from similar beach hoppers by its elongated antennae, as reflected in its specific epithet.
Arcitalitrus
Lawn Shrimps, Beach Hoppers
Arcitalitrus is a genus of fully terrestrial amphipods commonly known as lawn shrimps or beach hoppers. The genus contains nine described species native to Australasia, with Arcitalitrus dorrieni and A. sylvaticus introduced to Europe and elsewhere through human activity. These crustaceans have adapted to life away from aquatic environments, inhabiting forest leaf litter and soil. Some species have become invasive outside their native range, spreading via the international plant trade.
Megalorchestia
sand-hoppers
Megalorchestia is a genus of sand-hoppers in the family Talitridae, erected by Johann Friedrich von Brandt in 1851. The genus contains seven recognized species distributed along the Pacific coast of North America. Members are commonly found in coastal beach environments where they exhibit characteristic jumping locomotion.
Orchestia
Orchestia is a genus of talitrid amphipods comprising approximately 10-15 marine supralittoral species. The genus was revised in 2014, with three new species described from the North Atlantic and South America, and has been redefined to exclude terrestrial species now placed in Cryptorchestia. Species in this genus inhabit coastal environments including sandy beaches, driftwood, and estuaries, with some showing specialized ecological associations. Orchestia species serve as intermediate hosts for parasites and play roles in wrack decomposition.
Traskorchestia
beach hoppers
Traskorchestia is a genus of beach hoppers in the family Talitridae, established by Bousfield in 1982. The genus contains at least three described species: T. georgiana, T. ochotensis, and T. traskiana (the Pacific beach hopper). These amphipods inhabit coastal environments and are part of the supralittoral community.
Traskorchestia traskiana
Pacific beach hopper
Traskorchestia traskiana, the Pacific beach hopper, is a supralittoral amphipod inhabiting coastal beaches of the Pacific Northwest. Its activity patterns are directly influenced by tidal inundation cycles, with behavioral adaptations to periodic flooding in the zone above the high tide line. The species has been studied for its population biology and behavioral responses to environmental conditions in nearshore ecosystems.