Saduria entomon is a benthic isopod crustacean of the family Chaetiliidae.[2][3] It is distributed along the coasts of the Arctic Ocean and of the northern Pacific Ocean. It is also found in the brackish Baltic Sea, where it is considered a glacial relict.[4] Moreover, it is present in a number of North European lakes, including Ladoga, Vänern and Vättern. It has been introduced into the Black Sea.[5]
Saduria entomon | |
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Dead Saduria entomon washed up on the beach | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Class: | Malacostraca |
Superorder: | Peracarida |
Order: | Isopoda |
Family: | Chaetiliidae |
Genus: | Saduria |
Species: | S. entomon
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Binomial name | |
Saduria entomon | |
Synonyms | |
Oniscus entomon Linnaeus, 1758 |
Saduria entomon is one of the largest crustaceans in the Baltic Sea. The largest ones are found in the depths of the Gulf of Bothnia,[6] reaching a maximum length of nearly 9 cm (4 in).[4] S. entomon are sexually dimorphic, with males growing larger and maturing at larger sizes than females.[7] Most individuals die after reproduction, and the species might be functionally semelparous, but it is probably capable of iteroparity. Its lifespan is 3 years, possibly much longer.[7]
Saduria entomon is a predator that feeds on other benthic animals, such as Monoporeia affinis. It is also a scavenger and a cannibal.[4]