Wrack
Guides
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.
Talitridae
Sandhoppers, Landhoppers
Talitridae is a family of amphipod crustaceans encompassing diverse ecological forms including beach-dwelling sandhoppers, terrestrial landhoppers, and specialized driftwood hoppers. Members occupy habitats ranging from marine intertidal zones to fully terrestrial environments in rainforest leaf litter and caves. The family exhibits remarkable physiological adaptations for desiccation resistance and aerial respiration, with some Southern Hemisphere species being entirely terrestrial. Ecological diversity within Talitridae includes wrack generalists, psammophilic burrowers, palustral salt marsh dwellers, xylophagous driftwood specialists, and freshwater forms.