Show Navigation

Search Results

Refine Search
Match all words
Match any word
Prints
Personal Use
Royalty-Free
Rights-Managed
(leave unchecked to
search all images)
{ 153 images found }

Loading ()...

  • This species of crayfish, known as zarigani (Cambaroides japonicus) is endemic to Japan, living in Hokkaido and northern Honshu. They live in areas of low temperature with high water purity. This individual was missing its right front claw.
    zarigani-crayfish-cambaroides-japoni...tif
  • This is a Periclimenes magnificus commensal shrimp waiting for larger animals to visit to be cleaned. This species is one of many types of shrimps that earn their keep by providing cleaning services to larger reef residents.
    periclimenes-magnificus-commensal-sh...tif
  • This is a harlequin crab (Lissocarcinus laevis) comfortably ensconced in a tube anemone.
    lissocarcinus-laevis-harlequin-crab-...tif
  • These are developing embryos of endangered Japanese horseshoe crabs (Tachypleus tridentatus), 3mm to 4mm in size. Eggs molt during the development, as can be seen here. The stage of development is perhaps four to six weeks after spawning took place.
    tachypleus-tridentatus-horseshoe-cra...tif
  • This is a juvenile endangered Japanese horseshoe crab (Tachypleus tridentatus) swimming into the water column after birth. Measuring about 7mm, this little crustacean and siblings burst forth from their nest in a frenzy of activity approximately two months after spawning by the adults.
    tachypleus-tridentatus-horseshoe-cra...tif
  • This Japanese pygmy squid (Idiosepius paradoxus) has its arms wrapped around its prey, a skeleton shrimp (Caprellidae), which is a type of amphipod. Here the skeleton shrimp is clinging to the eelgrass by a single claw, but it eventually succumbed. Pygmy squids use venom to paralyze their prey, then inject digestive enzymes into their food. They ingest the liquified contents and discard the exoskeleton.
    idiosepius-paradoxus-eating-caprelli...tif
  • Horseshoe crabs (Tachypleus tridentatus) generally move in a measured, relatively slow manner, when they move at all. When females emerge after spawning however, they occasionally do so with surprising speed and force, as seen here. The female in the foreground has lifted herself out of the gravel and mud in one rapid motion, creating this momentary effervescence from the release of small pockets of air that had been trapped in the substrate.
    tachypleus-tridentatus-horseshoe-cra...tif
  • This is the internal shell of a deep-water cephalopod called a Ram’s horn squid, also known as a little post horn squid (Spirula spirula). This cephalopod is the only known member of its genus. The internal shell is both robust and buoyant, so often found on beaches. This one washed up during a mass stranding of thousands of Physalia utriculus amd other animals of the open-ocean, pelagic community. Attached to the shell were pelagic goose barnacles (Lepas sp.).
    rams-horn-shell-spirula-goose-barnac...tif
  • Anemone hermit crab (Dardanus pedunculatus) capturing and eating a mollusk. This hermit crab has a symbiotic relationship with anemones. The crab attaches anemones to the shell it lives in and transfers the anemones when it grows larger and changes shells. The anemones provide defence against predators like octopuses. It is possible that transfer of shells took place after this photograph was taken.
    anemone-hermit-crab-dardanus-peduncu...tif
  • A large sea spider brought up in a fishing net from a depth of 300 to 400 meters in Suruga Bay off the west coast of the Izu Peninsula, Japan. The sea spider was alive and active, crawling back toward deep water when I released it.
    deep-sea-spider-ascorhynchus-japonic...tif
  • Peacock Mantis Shrimp (Odontodactylus scyllarus) out in the open, standing on a sandy bottom
    Odontodactylus-scyllarus-peacock-man...tif
  • Harlequin shrimp (Hymenocera elegans) eating a red starfish in Ambon, Indonesia
    harlequin-shrimp-Hymenocera-elegans-...tif
  • This is a juvenile Japanese horseshoe crab (Tachypleus tridentatus) climbing up and out of the substrate where it had just hatched with dozens of siblings. When spawning takes place, eggs are deposited, fertilized and buried. Upon hatching, the young horseshoe crabs need to burrow up through 10-20cm of sand, mud and muck.
    tachypleus-tridentatus-horseshoe-cra...tif
  • This is a newly hatched endangered Japanese horseshoe crab (Tachypleus tridentatus), around 7mm in size. Juveniles emerge fully formed and functional. The animal's feet are visible protruding from the rear of the carapace.
    tachypleus-tridentatus-horseshoe-cra...tif
  • Pictured here are developing embryos of endangered Japanese horseshoe crabs (Tachypleus tridentatus). These eggs are on the cusp of hatching, approximately two months after they were deposited. The embryos are mobile inside the eggs, moving their legs and turning in circles. By this stage, the eggs are about 5mm in diameter.
    tachypleus-tridentatus-horseshoe-cra...tif
  • This is a large male hairy frogfish (Antennarius striatus) with his esca, or lure, extended to entice prey. The esca is situated at the end of a long rod called the illicium, which is the fish’s front-most dorsal fin. The white hair-like protrusions of the fish’s body are small skeleton shrimp (Caprellidae), clearly visible at 100% magnification. This photograph was taken five days prior to this fish spawning with a smaller female.
    antennarius-striatus-striated-frogfi...tif
  • This is a juvenile of an endangered tri-spine horseshoe crab (Tachypleus tridentatus). It measured about 37mm, which suggests that this juvenile was at the fifth instar of development, about a year since hatching. This species takes 15 years to mature, molting 18 times during that period. The estimated lifespan for this species is 25 years.<br />
<br />
These horseshoe crabs are generally only active when the water temperature exceeds 18 degrees Celsius. As such, they are dormant for much of the year, resting in deeper water until the ocean warms again.<br />
<br />
Though habitat loss and overharvesting of these animals for food are primary contributors to the population decline of horseshoe crabs, the biomedical industry is also a major factor. Horseshoe crabs are bled for their amoebocytes (akin to white blood cells), which are used to derive an extract that reacts in the presence endotoxin lipopolysaccharide, which is found in the membranes of gram-negative bacteria. Estimates suggest that between three and 30% of the animals die as a result. There have also been suggestions that taking up to a third of each animal's blood adversely affects their ability to undertake vital functions, such as procreation, even if the animals survive.<br />
<br />
Synthetic substitute tests have been available since 2003. The biomedical industry has however been reluctant to discontinue the practice of bleeding live animals.
    tachypleus-tridentatus-juvenile-tri-...tif
  • Front view of a freshly caught giant isopod (Bathynomus doederleinii) brought up from a depth of 300m to 400m in Suruga Bay, Japan. From this angle, the crustacean’s two pairs of antennae are clearly visible.
    giant-isopod-bathynomus-doederleinii...tif
  • Hasegawa father and son team bringing up and sorting through giant isopods (Bathynomus doederleinii) from deep water in Suruga Bay, Japan. The traps for these isopods were set in the 300m to 400m depth range. The isopods are used for making food like senbei rice crackers, and some are sent to aquaria for display.
    hasegawa-giant-isopods-suruga-bay-ja...tif
  • Caterpillar of a tussock moth species Euproctis piperita, photographed at Hontanikawa Keikoku in Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan. キドクガ, 本谷川渓谷, 山梨県
    euproctis-piperita-caterpillar-yaman...tif
  • A krill specimen that was spit out by a blue whale I was with. As depicted here, the krill was about the size of my little finger. The blue whale had just come up from deeper water, where it was likely feeding.
    krill-from-blue-whale-sri-lanka-2015...tif
  • Cyamus ovalis, one of three whale lice species known to associate with right whales. on my hand for scale. Whale lice are amphipods. This specimen is from a southern right whale (Eubalaena australis) in South Africa. Photographed with the permission of the Department of Environmental Affairs, South Africa.
    whale-lice-cyamus-ovalis-southern-ri...tif
  • This is a cloud of crab larvae, just after release in shallow water by a female land crab (Discoplax hirtipes). At 100% magnification, the individual larva are easily distinguishable. See separate image of female crab in the act of releasing these eggs/ larvae into the water. Photographed at Ngeremdiu Beach, Ngeruktabel Island in Palau.
    crab-larvae-zoea-Discoplax-hirtipes-...tif
  • Giant moray eel (Gymnothorax javanicus) being cleaned by scarlet cleaner shrimp (Lysmata amboinensis). Ambon, Indonesia
    giant-moray-eel-Gymnothorax-javanicu...tif
  • Beautiful harlequin shrimp (Hymenocera elegans) at night
    Hymenocera-elegans-harlequin-shrimp-..tiff
  • The birth of endangered Japanese horseshoe crabs (Tachypleus tridentatus) can be a chaotic process. The juveniles are small, in the range of 5mm to 7mm. They are not agile or adept swimmers. As they crawl out of the muck, many are pushed, pulled and spun by waves and currents. Some get entangled among themselves.
    tachypleus-tridentatus-horseshoe-cra...tif
  • These are two newly hatched endangered juvenile Japanese horseshoe crab (Tachypleus tridentatus) juveniles emerging from the ocean bottom.
    tachypleus-tridentatus-horseshoe-cra...tif
  • This is a pair of endangered Japanese horseshoe crab (Tachypleus tridentatus) juveniles. One has commenced borrowing into the substrate. The other had flipped upside-down, as the juveniles seem to do with reasonable frequency.
    tachypleus-tridentatus-horseshoe-cra...tif
  • The birth of endangered Japanese horseshoe crabs (Tachypleus tridentatus) can be a chaotic process. The juveniles are small, in the range of 5mm to 7mm. They are not agile or adept swimmers. As they crawl out of the muck, many are pushed, pulled and spun by waves and currents. Some get entangled among themselves. And on occasion, bubbles of air released from the substrate knock them flat on their backs.
    tachypleus-tridentatus-horseshoe-cra...tif
  • These are endangered Japanese horseshoe crab (Tachypleus tridentatus) juveniles clustering together.
    tachypleus-tridentatus-horseshoe-cra...tif
  • This is a juvenile endangered Japanese horseshoe crab (Tachypleus tridentatus) setting forth into the world. Measuring about 7mm, this little crustacean and siblings burst forth from their nest in a frenzy of activity approximately two months after spawning by the adults.
    tachypleus-tridentatus-horseshoe-cra...tif
  • This is a newly hatched endangered Japanese horseshoe crab (Tachypleus tridentatus), around 7mm in size. Juveniles emerge fully formed and functional.
    tachypleus-tridentatus-horseshoe-cra...tif
  • There are eggs of endangered Japanese horseshoe crabs (Tachypleus tridentatus), between 2mm and 3mm in diameter. The eggs are were deposited in shallow gravel and mud about a month prior to this photograph. As the eggs develop, they grow to around 5mm in diameter and the membranes become transparent, revealing the developing embryos inside.
    tachypleus-tridentatus-horseshoe-cra...tif
  • This is a large Mauve-eyed hermit crab (Dardanus crassimanus) consuming a red cornetfish (Fistularia petimba).
    dardanus-crassimanus-consuming-fistu...tif
  • This is a female Japanese pygmy squid (Idiosepius paradoxus) that is consuming a large skeleton shrimp (Caprellidae), which is a type of amphipod. Pygmy squids use venom to paralyze prey, then inject digestive enzymes into their food. They ingest the liquified contents and discard the exoskeleton.
    idiosepius-paradoxus-eating-caprelli...tif
  • This is a pair of leopard anemone shrimp (Izucaris masudai) on their host Nemanthus sp. anemone. The larger of the two is the female. First described in Japan in 1999, this species is called ayatori-kakure-ebi in Japanese..
    izucaris-masudai-leopard-anemone-shr...tif
  • This is a juvenile of an endangered tri-spine horseshoe crab (Tachypleus tridentatus), juxtaposed with a five Yen coin for scale. The animal’s carapace measured about 37mm, which suggests that this juvenile was at the fifth instar of development, about a year since hatching. This species takes 15 years to mature, molting 18 times during that period. The estimated lifespan for this species is 25 years.<br />
<br />
These horseshoe crabs are generally only active when the water temperature exceeds 18 degrees Celsius. As such, they are dormant for much of the year, resting in deeper water until the ocean warms again.<br />
<br />
Though habitat loss and overharvesting of these animals for food are primary contributors to the population decline of horseshoe crabs, the biomedical industry is also a major factor. Horseshoe crabs are bled for their amoebocytes (akin to white blood cells), which are used to derive an extract that reacts in the presence endotoxin lipopolysaccharide, which is found in the membranes of gram-negative bacteria. Estimates suggest that between three and 30% of the animals die as a result. There have also been suggestions that taking up to a third of each animal's blood adversely affects their ability to undertake vital functions, such as procreation, even if the animals survive.<br />
<br />
Synthetic substitute tests have been available since 2003. The biomedical industry has however been reluctant to discontinue the practice of bleeding live animals.
    tachypleus-tridentatus-juvenile-tri-...tif
  • This is a juvenile of an endangered tri-spine horseshoe crab (Tachypleus tridentatus). It measured about 37mm, which suggests that this juvenile was at the fifth instar of development, about a year since hatching. This species takes 15 years to mature, molting 18 times during that period. The estimated lifespan for this species is 25 years.<br />
<br />
These horseshoe crabs are generally only active when the water temperature exceeds 18 degrees Celsius. As such, they are dormant for much of the year, resting in deeper water until the ocean warms again.<br />
<br />
Though habitat loss and overharvesting of these animals for food are primary contributors to the population decline of horseshoe crabs, the biomedical industry is also a major factor. Horseshoe crabs are bled for their amoebocytes (akin to white blood cells), which are used to derive an extract that reacts in the presence endotoxin lipopolysaccharide, which is found in the membranes of gram-negative bacteria. Estimates suggest that between three and 30% of the animals die as a result. There have also been suggestions that taking up to a third of each animal's blood adversely affects their ability to undertake vital functions, such as procreation, even if the animals survive.<br />
<br />
Synthetic substitute tests have been available since 2003. The biomedical industry has however been reluctant to discontinue the practice of bleeding live animals.
    tachypleus-tridentatus-juvenile-tri-...tif
  • This is the fifth stage or last instar nymph of a yellow spotted stink bug (Erthesina fullo). Stink bugs moult and develop through five instars before becoming adults. Native throughout Asia from India through China, this insect is an invasive species in Japan, believed to have been introduced through Dejima island in Nagasaki Prefecture.
    erthesina-fullo-yellow-spotted-stink...tif
  • This is an adult yellow spotted stink bug (Erthesina fullo). Native throughout Asia from India through China, this insect is an invasive species in Japan, believed to have been introduced through Dejima island in Nagasaki Prefecture.
    erthesina-fullo-yellow-spotted-stink...tif
  • This is a top-down view of a pair of endangered tri-spine horseshoe crabs (Tachypleus tridentatus) engaged in spawning. The male is clasped onto the rear of the female, preparing to fertilize eggs that she will deposit. Seen here, the female is still burrowing into the substrate. She will dig deeper, until her primary compound eyes and most of her prosoma is buried. The bubbles are the result of pockets of air trapped in the mud and gravel being released due to the female’s excavation.<br />
<br />
Spawning takes place in the intertidal zone, which is the reason that substantial quantities of air are present in the sediment. It is also the reason that the water is murky and somewhat hazy, as there is mixing of fresh water flowing in from land.<br />
<br />
Although these animals are called crabs, they are not members of the Subphylum Crustacea. They belong to a separate Subphylum—Chelicerata—which also comprises sea spiders, arachnids, and several extinct lineages such as sea scorpions. The earliest known fossils of horseshoe crabs date back 450 million years ago, qualifying these animals as living fossils, as they have remained largely unchanged.<br />
<br />
Tachypleus tridentatus is the largest of the four living species of these marine arthropods, all of which are endangered.<br />
<br />
Though habitat loss and overharvesting of these animals for food are primary contributors to the population decline of horseshoe crabs, the biomedical industry is also a major factor. Horseshoe crabs are bled for their amoebocytes (akin to white blood cells), which are used to derive an extract that reacts in the presence endotoxin lipopolysaccharide, which is found in the membranes of gram-negative bacteria. Estimates suggest that between three and 30% of the animals die as a result. There have also been suggestions that taking up to a third of each animal's blood adversely affects their ability to undertake vital functions, such as procreation, even if the animals survive.
    tachypleus-tridentatus-horseshoe-cra...tif
  • This is a pair of endangered tri-spine horseshoe crabs (Tachypleus tridentatus) moving across the ocean bottom, with the larger female in front and the male clasped onto the rear. The tips of some of the animals’ legs are visible.<br />
<br />
The female is searching for a location to spawn. Once she finds a place that she likes, she burrows partially into the substrate and deposits a clutch of eggs, which the male fertilizes. Such spawning occurs repetitively. When searching in this manner, horseshoe crabs can travel at a relatively rapid pace. Otherwise, they tend to move slowly, as evidenced by the gastropod that has crawled on top of the male’s head.<br />
<br />
Although these animals are called crabs, they are not members of the Subphylum Crustacea. They belong to a separate Subphylum—Chelicerata—which also comprises sea spiders, arachnids, and several extinct lineages such as sea scorpions. The earliest known fossils of horseshoe crabs date back 450 million years ago, qualifying these animals as living fossils, as they have remained largely unchanged.<br />
<br />
Tachypleus tridentatus is the largest of the four living species of these marine arthropods, all of which are endangered.<br />
<br />
Though habitat loss and overharvesting of these animals for food are primary contributors to the population decline of horseshoe crabs, the biomedical industry is also a major factor. Horseshoe crabs are bled for their amoebocytes (akin to white blood cells), which are used to derive an extract that reacts in the presence endotoxin lipopolysaccharide, which is found in the membranes of gram-negative bacteria. Estimates suggest that between three and 30% of the animals die as a result. There have also been suggestions that taking up to a third of each animal's blood adversely affects their ability to undertake vital functions, such as procreation, even if the animals survive.
    tachypleus-tridentatus-horseshoe-cra...tif
  • This is a pair of endangered tri-spine horseshoe crabs (Tachypleus tridentatus) engaged in spawning. The male is clearly visible, clasped onto the rear of the female. He is fertilizing eggs being deposited by the female, whose head is buried in the substrate.<br />
<br />
Although these animals are called crabs, they are not members of the Subphylum Crustacea. They belong to a separate Subphylum—Chelicerata—which also comprises sea spiders, arachnids, and several extinct lineages such as sea scorpions. The earliest known fossils of horseshoe crabs date back 450 million years ago, qualifying these animals as living fossils, as they have remained largely unchanged.<br />
<br />
Tachypleus tridentatus is the largest of the four living species of these marine arthropods, all of which are endangered.<br />
<br />
Though habitat loss and overharvesting of these animals for food are primary contributors to the population decline of horseshoe crabs, the biomedical industry is also a major factor. Horseshoe crabs are bled for their amoebocytes (akin to white blood cells), which are used to derive an extract that reacts in the presence endotoxin lipopolysaccharide, which is found in the membranes of gram-negative bacteria. Estimates suggest that between three and 30% of the animals die as a result. There have also been suggestions that taking up to a third of each animal's blood adversely affects their ability to undertake vital functions, such as procreation, even if the animals survive.<br />
<br />
Synthetic substitute tests have been available since 2003. The biomedical industry has however been reluctant to discontinue the practice of bleeding live animals.
    tachypleus-tridentatus-horseshoe-cra...tif
  • This is a pair of tri-spine horseshoe crabs (Tachypleus tridentatus) walking across the ocean bottom in shallow water just prior to spawning. The smaller male uses modified legs (pedipalps) to grasp onto the female in front. The male stays attached in this manner throughout the reproductive season, going wherever the female goes.<br />
<br />
Although these animals are called crabs, they are not members of the Subphylum Crustacea. They belong to a separate Subphylum—Chelicerata—which also comprises sea spiders, arachnids, and several extinct lineages such as sea scorpions. The earliest known fossils of horseshoe crabs date back 450 million years ago, qualifying these animals as living fossils, as they have remained largely unchanged.<br />
<br />
Tachypleus tridentatus is the largest of the four living species of these marine arthropods, all of which are endangered.<br />
<br />
Though habitat loss and overharvesting of these animals for food are primary contributors to the population decline of horseshoe crabs, the biomedical industry is also a major factor. Horseshoe crabs are bled for their amoebocytes (akin to white blood cells), which are used to derive an extract that reacts in the presence endotoxin lipopolysaccharide, which is found in the membranes of gram-negative bacteria. Estimates suggest that between three and 30% of the animals die as a result. There have also been suggestions that taking up to a third of each animal's blood adversely affects their ability to undertake vital functions, such as procreation, even if the animals survive.<br />
<br />
Synthetic substitute tests have been available since 2003. The biomedical industry has however been reluctant to discontinue the practice of bleeding live animals.
    tachypleus-tridentatus-horseshoe-cra...tif
  • These are endangered tri-spine horseshoe crabs (Tachypleus tridentatus) engaged in spawning. The male is visible in his entirety, attached to the rear of the female. The female (much larger than the male) has burrowed into the substrate, with her head and most of her torso buried. She is in the process of depositing eggs, with the male fertilizing them.<br />
<br />
In the intertidal location where this pair were photographed, the mud and gravel substrate contained pockets of air. Digging and other activity by the female releases the trapped air, which bubbles up as seen in this image.<br />
<br />
Although these animals are called crabs, they are not members of the Subphylum Crustacea. They belong to a separate Subphylum—Chelicerata—which also comprises sea spiders, arachnids, and several extinct lineages such as sea scorpions. The earliest known fossils of horseshoe crabs date back 450 million years ago, qualifying these animals as living fossils, as they have remained largely unchanged.<br />
<br />
Tachypleus tridentatus is the largest of the four living species of these marine arthropods, all of which are endangered.<br />
<br />
Though habitat loss and overharvesting of these animals for food are primary contributors to the population decline of horseshoe crabs, the biomedical industry is also a major factor. Horseshoe crabs are bled for their amoebocytes (akin to white blood cells), which are used to derive an extract that reacts in the presence endotoxin lipopolysaccharide, which is found in the membranes of gram-negative bacteria. Estimates suggest that between three and 30% of the animals die as a result. There have also been suggestions that taking up to a third of each animal's blood adversely affects their ability to undertake vital functions, such as procreation, even if the animals survive.<br />
<br />
Synthetic substitute tests have been available since 2003. The biomedical industry has however been reluctant to discontinue the practice of bleeding live animals.
    tachypleus-tridentatus-horseshoe-cra...tif
  • These are endangered tri-spine horseshoe crabs (Tachypleus tridentatus) engaged in spawning. The larger female is in front, the smaller male attached to the rear. <br />
<br />
During spring high tide, pairs like this move to shallow water. They remain largely motionless. When the time comes for spawning, the female digs into the substrate and deposits a clutch of eggs, which the male fertilizes. Spawning occurs repetitively.<br />
<br />
In the intertidal location where this pair were photographed, the mud and gravel substrate contained pockets of air, which were sometimes released when the horseshoe crabs became active. The escaped gas bubbled up and emerged from the muck, sometimes passing through the carapace of the female, resulting in the illusion of exhalation, as pictured here.<br />
<br />
Although these animals are called crabs, they are not members of the Subphylum Crustacea. They belong to a separate Subphylum—Chelicerata—which also comprises sea spiders, arachnids, and several extinct lineages such as sea scorpions. The earliest known fossils of horseshoe crabs date back 450 million years ago, qualifying these animals as living fossils, as they have remained largely unchanged.<br />
<br />
Tachypleus tridentatus is the largest of the four living species of these marine arthropods, all of which are endangered.<br />
<br />
Though habitat loss and overharvesting of these animals for food are primary contributors to the population decline of horseshoe crabs, the biomedical industry is also a major factor. Horseshoe crabs are bled for their amoebocytes (akin to white blood cells), which are used to derive an extract that reacts in the presence endotoxin lipopolysaccharide, which is found in the membranes of gram-negative bacteria. Estimates suggest that between three and 30% of the animals die as a result. There have also been suggestions that taking up to a third of each animal's blood adversely affects their ability to undertake vital functions, such as procreation, even if the animals survive.
    tachypleus-tridentatus-horseshoe-cra...tif
  • A pile of giant isopods (Bathynomus doederleinii), caught at a depth of 300m to 400m in Suruga Bay, Japan. This photograph of the ventral side of an isopod provides a clear view of the seven body segments (pereon), seven pairs of legs (pereopods), abdomen (pleon), respiratory gill structures (rami), and the mouth structure (which comprises mandibles, maxillae 1, maxillae 2, and the first set of limbs, which are called the maxillipeds).
    giant-isopods-bathynomus-doederleini...tif
  • Freshly caught deep-sea king crab (Paralomis multispina) on the deck of a fishing vessel. The crabs were brought up from around 1000m depth in Suruga Bay, Japan. Adjacent to the crabs is the bait used to attract the crabs.
    deep-sea-king-crab-paralomis-multisp...tif
  • This is a horned isopod (Deto echinata), a species of air-breathing isopod that inhabits seashores of southern Africa. This isopod is a woodlouse, which is an isopod that is adapted to terrestrial rather than aquatic life. This species lives onshore, feeding in the intertidal zone on carrion and plant material washed up by the ocean, as well as small live prey. The horns on the backs of this species are longer in males than in females. This is a male, about two centimeters in length.
    horned-isopod-deto-echinata-201711-3...tif
  • Two adjacent flukes of a pair of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) diving in synchrony. Both flukes, but particularly the one in the rear, are covered with Coronula diadema barnacles, which are found exclusively on humpback whales.
    humpback-whale-flukes-coronula-diade...tif
  • Rear view of a red frog spanner crab (Ranina ranina)
    red-frog-spanner-crab-rear-view-rani...tif
  • This is a spanner crab (Ranina ranina), also known as a red frog crab. It is an edible crab found in tropical and sub-tropical waters. These crabs burrow into the sand rear-first, where they stay camouflaged with only their eyes protruding. They come out to scavenge for food. Unlike other crabs, this species walks in a forward direction. Though this crustacean is harvested for food, there is little known about this species’ ecology. It is the only species extant in its genus.
    red-spanner-frog-crab-ranina-ranina-...tif
  • A 2cm juvenile stick insect (Ramulus irregulariterdentatus) hanging upside-down under a leaf. This stick insect was missing two of its six limbs.
    stick-insect-juvenile-ramulus-irregu...tif
  • Head-on view of a large female Joro spider (Nephilia clavata), a type of golden silk orb-weaver spider common in Japan during the autumn. From this angle, the spider’s chelicerae, or jaws, are clearly visible. These deliver a neurotoxin similar to that of a black widow spider, but not as potent.
    nephilia-clavata-joro-spider-japan-2...tif
  • Caterpillar of tussock moth species Euproctis piperita. Illuminated here to empahsize the protective spike-like filaments covering its body. Photographed at Hontanikawa Keikoku in Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan. キドクガ, 本谷川渓谷, 山梨県
    euproctis-piperita-caterpillar-yaman...tif
  • Juvenile clown stink bug (Poecilocoris lewisi) in Kobuchizawa, Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan. 小淵沢, 山梨県
    poecilocoris-lewisi-juvenile-yamanas...tif
  • Whale lice are amphipods that scavenge for food on whales’ bodies, including consuming skin and flesh of whales. This species (Cyamus scammoni) lives exclusively on gray whales (Eschrichtius robustus). There is sexual dimorphism among adult Cyamus scammoni, with males being larger than females. Unlike the young of most other marine crustaceans, which have a planktonic larval stage, juvenile whale lice mature in a pouch-like structure called the marsupium, which is located on the underside of females. There is a small whale louse visible on the right side of this large amphipod’s head, hidden between the head and the forward right appendage. Photographed in Baja California, Mexico.
    cyamus-scammoni-whale-lice-gray-whal...tif
  • A southern right whale calf (Eubalaena australis), resting its head on top of its mother while looking at me. The callosities that are characteristic of this species are beginning to show on the calf’s head. Note also that the calf already carries a full complement of whale lice, what appear to be mostly or entirely Cyamus ovalis. Photographed with the permission of the Department of Environmental Affairs, South Africa.
    southern-right-whale-calf-with-mothe...tif
  • Whip coral shrimp (Pontonides ankeri) on a sea whip (Cirripathes sp.) in Lembeh Strait, Indonesia. This species is often confused with Pontonides unciger, which lives on bushy black corals (Anthipathes sp.)
    pontonides-ankeri-shrimp-on-cirripat...tif
  • Fluke of an adult female humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) which had the habit of resting upside-down, with the ventral surface of her fluke to the sky. She was the mother of an extremely active, inquisitive female calf. Photographed in Vava’u, Kingdom of Tonga.
    fluke-humpback-whale-upside-down-oce...tif
  • Malcolm was our cook during the kayak expedition. Here he is holding a large male land crab (Discoplax hirtipes) at our second campsite, which was at Ngeremdiu Beach. Malcolm told me that female crabs migrate from land to the water to release their brood at the turning of the high tide during full moon. We saw a few females releasing eggs here at Ngeremdiu Beach, and also at the next campsite on Ngchuus Beach. See separate photos of female crab releasing eggs, and of the resulting zoea.
    terrestrial-crab-discoplax-hirtipes-...tif
  • This is a female Discoplax hirtipes terrestrial crab disseminating her brood of fertilized eggs into shallow water during full moon. The crab waited on land at Ngeremdiu Beach for the evening high tide. She entered the water as the tide turned to go out and released her eggs. Once she committed to releasing eggs, it was only a matter of seconds before she completed her task and headed back to the safety of her underground burrow. See separate photograph of the crab eggs in the water.
    female-land-crab-releasing-eggs-pala...tif
  • Spearing mantis shrimp (Lysiosquilla tredecimdentata) hugging low to the ground, ready to take off at an instant. Photographed in the Lembeh Strait, North Sulawesi, Indonesia.
    spearing-mantis-shrimp-Lysiosquilla-...tif
  • Pontonides sp. commensal shrimp on a curled-up whip coral (Cirrhipathes sp.) formation
    Pontonides-commensal-shrimp-on-Cirrh...tif
  • Pair of Coleman shrimp (Periclimenes colemani) on fire urchin (Asthenosoma varium). Ambon, Indonesia
    Periclimenes-colemani-Coleman-shrimp...tif
  • Harlequin shrimp (Hymenocera elegans) standing guard over its captive starfish. Ambon, Indonesia
    Hymenocera-elegans-harlequin-shrimp-...tif
  • A tiny cleaning shrimp (Urocaridella sp.) dwarfed by the size of its client, a giant moray eel (Gymnothorax javanicus). Ambon, Indonesia.
    Urocaridella-cleaner-shrimp-giant-mo...tif
  • Giant moray eel (Gymnothorax javanicus) being cleaned by scarlet cleaner shrimp (Lysmata amboinensis). Ambon, Indonesia
    giant-moray-eel-Gymnothorax-javanicu...tif
  • Squat lobster in a crinoid, carrying a clutch of eggs, just visible under the crustacean's abdomen. There were many exceptionally large squat lobsters at Alexander's Wall, a dive site in the Eastern Fields of Papua New Guinea. This photograph is a film scan.
    elegant-squat-lobster-with-eggs-allo...tif
  • Close-up portrait of zebra crab (Zebrida adamsii) on a colorful fire sea urchin (Asthenosoma varium)
    zebra-crab-and-fire-urchin-ambon-201..tiff
  • Rainbow mantis shrimp (Odontodactylus scyllarus) resting its eggs on the camera lens
    close-up-of-mantis-shrimp-with-eggs-..tiff
  • This is an Eualus leptognathus shrimp carrying eggs. The shrimp is sitting on Undaria pinnatifida kelp in the northern waters of Japan.
    eualus-leptognathus-shrimp-with-eggs...tif
  • This scene depicts the birth of juvenile endangered Japanese horseshoe crabs (Tachypleus tridentatus). During spawning, an adult female deposits clusters of dozens of eggs, which are fertilized by a male that is attached to the female during the spawning season. The gestation period is approximately two months. Juveniles emerge at the same time, sometimes individually, sometimes in groups.
    tachypleus-tridentatus-horseshoe-cra...tif
  • This scene depicts the birth of juvenile endangered Japanese horseshoe crabs (Tachypleus tridentatus). During spawning, an adult female deposits clusters of dozens of eggs, which are fertilized by a male that is attached to the female during the spawning season. The gestation period is approximately two months. Juveniles emerge at the same time, sometimes one by one, sometimes in groups like this.
    tachypleus-tridentatus-horseshoe-cra...tif
  • Pictured here are developing embryos of endangered Japanese horseshoe crabs (Tachypleus tridentatus), about 5mm in diameter. The membranes of some eggs have started to dissolve, indicating that they are on the cusp of hatching, approximately two months after the eggs were deposited.
    tachypleus-tridentatus-horseshoe-cra...tif
  • Pictured here are developing embryos of endangered Japanese horseshoe crabs (Tachypleus tridentatus), about 5mm in diameter. The membranes of some eggs have started to dissolve, indicating that they are on the cusp of hatching, approximately two months after the eggs were deposited.
    tachypleus-tridentatus-horseshoe-cra...tif
  • This is a red-spotted blenny (Blenniella chrysospilos) poking its head out of its home in the coral, with two coral hermit crabs (Paguritta sp.) visible in the background. The blenny's home is the abandoned burrow of a vermetid gastropod, Dendropoma maximum.
    blenniella-chrysospilos-red-spotted-...tif
  • Adult male gnathid isopod (Elaphognathia discolor) on a sponge. The isopod is about 6mm in length. Photographed at two times life-size magnification.
    elaphognathia-discolor-gnathid-isopo...tif
  • This Idiosepius paradoxus Japanese pygmy squid is consuming a crustacean, perhaps an amphipod of sub-order Hyperiidea. The compound eye of the prey is visible. These small squids immobilize prey with venom, then inject digestive enzymes and consume the liquified contents. They discard the empty exoskeletons when finished.
    idiosepius-paradoxus-eating-hyperiid...tif
  • This is a large female hairy frogfish (Antennarius striatus). Her mottled appearance gave her the ability to blend-in with the visual chaos of the reef. She is also covered with small white amphipods known as skeleton shrimp (Caprellidae), clearly visible at 100% magnification.
    antennarius-striatus-striated-frogfi...tif
  • This is a male hairy frogfish (Antennarius striatus) exhibiting the characteristic lump on his head and abdomen resulting from infection by the parasitic copepod Sarcotaces pacificus. A maggot-shaped female resides inside the lump, where she lays thousands of eggs. The eggs hatch within the lump and pass through five nauplius development stages before reaching their first copepodid stage, at which point the juvenile parasites are able to infect new hosts.
    antennarius-striatus-striated-frogfi...tif
  • This is a male hairy frogfish (Antennarius striatus) exhibiting the characteristic lump resulting from infection by the parasitic copepod Sarcotaces pacificus. A maggot-shaped female resides inside the lump, where she lays thousands of eggs. The eggs hatch within the lump and pass through five nauplius development stages before reaching their first copepodid stage, at which point the juvenile parasites are able to infect new hosts.
    antennarius-striatus-striated-frogfi...tif
  • This is a pair of endangered tri-spine horseshoe crabs (Tachypleus tridentatus) preparing to spawn. The larger female in front has chosen a place to deposit eggs. She has just commenced digging. The bubbles are the result of pockets of air trapped in the mud and gravel being released due to the female’s excavation. Spawning takes place in the intertidal zone, which is the reason that air is present in the sediment. The smaller male is firmly affixed to the female’s opisthosoma. He will fertilize the eggs she deposits, and then the pair will move on to find another location to spawn again.<br />
<br />
Although these animals are called crabs, they are not members of the Subphylum Crustacea. They belong to a separate Subphylum—Chelicerata—which also comprises sea spiders, arachnids, and several extinct lineages such as sea scorpions. The earliest known fossils of horseshoe crabs date back 450 million years ago, qualifying these animals as living fossils, as they have remained largely unchanged.<br />
<br />
Tachypleus tridentatus is the largest of the four living species of these marine arthropods, all of which are endangered.<br />
<br />
Though habitat loss and overharvesting of these animals for food are primary contributors to the population decline of horseshoe crabs, the biomedical industry is also a major factor. Horseshoe crabs are bled for their amoebocytes (akin to white blood cells), which are used to derive an extract that reacts in the presence endotoxin lipopolysaccharide, which is found in the membranes of gram-negative bacteria. Estimates suggest that between three and 30% of the animals die as a result. There have also been suggestions that taking up to a third of each animal's blood adversely affects their ability to undertake vital functions, such as procreation, even if the animals survive.<br />
<br />
Synthetic substitute tests have been available since 2003. The biomedical industry has however been reluctant to discontinue the practice of bleeding live animals.
    tachypleus-tridentatus-horseshoe-cra...tif
  • This is a pair of endangered tri-spine horseshoe crabs (Tachypleus tridentatus) engaged in spawning. They are walking along the ocean bottom in shallow water, with the larger female in front searching for a place to deposit eggs, which will be fertilized by the smaller male attached to the rear.<br />
<br />
The tips of the horseshoe crabs’ legs are visible in this image. These animals have five pairs of legs used for locomotion—the pedipalps first, followed by three pairs of legs in the middle, and a pair of pusher legs at the end. The male’s pedipalps are modified into a pair of claspers used to grasp the female as seen here. <br />
<br />
Although these animals are called crabs, they are not members of the Subphylum Crustacea. They belong to a separate Subphylum—Chelicerata—which also comprises sea spiders, arachnids, and several extinct lineages such as sea scorpions. The earliest known fossils of horseshoe crabs date back 450 million years ago, qualifying these animals as living fossils, as they have remained largely unchanged.<br />
<br />
Tachypleus tridentatus is the largest of the four living species of these marine arthropods, all of which are endangered.<br />
<br />
Though habitat loss and overharvesting of these animals for food are primary contributors to the population decline of horseshoe crabs, the biomedical industry is also a major factor. Horseshoe crabs are bled for their amoebocytes (akin to white blood cells), which are used to derive an extract that reacts in the presence endotoxin lipopolysaccharide, which is found in the membranes of gram-negative bacteria. Estimates suggest that between three and 30% of the animals die as a result. There have also been suggestions that taking up to a third of each animal's blood adversely affects their ability to undertake vital functions, such as procreation, even if the animals survive.
    tachypleus-tridentatus-horseshoe-cra...tif
  • This is a pair of tri-spine horseshoe crabs (Tachypleus tridentatus) walking across the ocean bottom in shallow water just prior to spawning. The smaller male uses modified legs (pedipalps) to grasp onto the female in front. The female has just started to burrow into the substrate, a process which involves digging deep enough to bury the front part of her body (Prosoma) and much of her abdominal area (Opisthosoma) as well. When she eventually reaches acceptable depth and deposits eggs, the male will fertilize them. Females often deposit several clutches of eggs in the same general area before moving on to do the same in different locations.<br />
<br />
Note the gastropod riding on the female’s head. Shells, barnacles and other similar passengers seem relatively common on these horseshoe crabs.<br />
<br />
Although these animals are called crabs, they are not members of the Subphylum Crustacea. They belong to a separate Subphylum—Chelicerata—which also comprises sea spiders, arachnids, and several extinct lineages such as sea scorpions. The earliest known fossils of horseshoe crabs date back 450 million years ago, qualifying these animals as living fossils, as they have remained largely unchanged.<br />
<br />
Tachypleus tridentatus is the largest of the four living species of these marine arthropods, all of which are endangered.
    tachypleus-tridentatus-horseshoe-cra...tif
  • These are endangered tri-spine horseshoe crabs (Tachypleus tridentatus) engaged in spawning. The larger female in front has just started to burrow into the substrate to deposit eggs, with the smaller male attached to the rear.<br />
<br />
In the intertidal location where this pair were photographed, the mud and gravel substrate contained pockets of air, which were sometimes released when the horseshoe crabs became active. Such liberated gas sometimes passes through the carapace of the female, resulting in the illusion of exhalation. Here it appears almost as if the female crab is venting air.<br />
<br />
Although these animals are called crabs, they are not members of the Subphylum Crustacea. They belong to a separate Subphylum—Chelicerata—which also comprises sea spiders, arachnids, and several extinct lineages such as sea scorpions. The earliest known fossils of horseshoe crabs date back 450 million years ago, qualifying these animals as living fossils, as they have remained largely unchanged.<br />
<br />
Tachypleus tridentatus is the largest of the four living species of these marine arthropods, all of which are endangered.<br />
<br />
Though habitat loss and overharvesting of these animals for food are primary contributors to the population decline of horseshoe crabs, the biomedical industry is also a major factor. Horseshoe crabs are bled for their amoebocytes (akin to white blood cells), which are used to derive an extract that reacts in the presence endotoxin lipopolysaccharide, which is found in the membranes of gram-negative bacteria. Estimates suggest that between three and 30% of the animals die as a result. There have also been suggestions that taking up to a third of each animal's blood adversely affects their ability to undertake vital functions, such as procreation, even if the animals survive.<br />
<br />
Synthetic substitute tests have been available since 2003. The biomedical industry has however been reluctant to discontinue the practice of bleeding live animals.
    tachypleus-tridentatus-horseshoe-cra...tif
  • This is a pair of tri-spine horseshoe crabs (Tachypleus tridentatus) walking across the ocean bottom in shallow water just prior to spawning. The smaller male uses modified legs (pedipalps) to grasp onto the female in front. The female has just started to burrow into the substrate, a process which involves digging deep enough to bury the front part of her body (Prosoma) and much of her abdominal area (Opisthosoma) as well. When she eventually reaches acceptable depth and deposits eggs, the male will fertilize them. Females often deposit several clutches of eggs in the same general area before moving on to do the same in different locations.<br />
<br />
In the shallow intertidal area where this photograph was taken, pockets of air were trapped in the gravel and mud. Digging by female horseshoe crabs sometimes releases some of the air, as seen in this image. Note also the gastropod riding on the female’s head. Shells, barnacles and other passengers seem to be relatively common on these horseshoe crabs.<br />
<br />
Although these animals are called crabs, they are not members of the Subphylum Crustacea. They belong to a separate Subphylum—Chelicerata—which also comprises sea spiders, arachnids, and several extinct lineages such as sea scorpions. The earliest known fossils of horseshoe crabs date back 450 million years ago, qualifying these animals as living fossils, as they have remained largely unchanged.<br />
<br />
Tachypleus tridentatus is the largest of the four living species of these marine arthropods, all of which are endangered.
    tachypleus-tridentatus-horseshoe-cra...tif
  • These are endangered tri-spine horseshoe crabs (Tachypleus tridentatus) moving across the ocean floor together prior to engaging in spawning. The larger female is in front, the smaller male attached to the rear. <br />
<br />
During spring high tide, pairs like this move to shallow water. They remain largely motionless, though they do move from time to time as depicted here. When the time comes for spawning, the female digs into the substrate and deposits a clutch of eggs, which the male fertilizes. Spawning occurs repetitively.<br />
<br />
Although these animals are called crabs, they are not members of the Subphylum Crustacea. They belong to a separate Subphylum—Chelicerata—which also comprises sea spiders, arachnids, and several extinct lineages such as sea scorpions. The earliest known fossils of horseshoe crabs date back 450 million years ago, qualifying these animals as living fossils, as they have remained largely unchanged.<br />
<br />
Tachypleus tridentatus is the largest of the four living species of these marine arthropods, all of which are endangered.<br />
<br />
Though habitat loss and overharvesting of these animals for food are primary contributors to the population decline of horseshoe crabs, the biomedical industry is also a major factor. Horseshoe crabs are bled for their amoebocytes (akin to white blood cells), which are used to derive an extract that reacts in the presence endotoxin lipopolysaccharide, which is found in the membranes of gram-negative bacteria. Estimates suggest that between three and 30% of the animals die as a result. There have also been suggestions that taking up to a third of each animal's blood adversely affects their ability to undertake vital functions, such as procreation, even if the animals survive.<br />
<br />
Synthetic substitute tests have been available since 2003. The biomedical industry has however been reluctant to discontinue the practice of bleeding live animals.
    tachypleus-tridentatus-horseshoe-cra...tif
  • Detailed view of the unique structure of the compound eyes of a harlequin mantis shrimp (Odontodactylus scyllarus)., photographed at 3x life-size magnification. The eyes of mantis shrimps comprise what may perhaps be the most complex visual system that has ever evolved. Each eye sits atop a mobile stalk, with each stalk capable of moving independently. Each eye comprises two flattened hemispheres separated by parallel rows of specialized clusters of photoreceptor cells called ommatidia. These rows collectively make up the midband. This 3-part division facilitates trinocular vision in each eye, which means each eye is capable of depth perception. Depending upon the species, mantis shrimps have between 12 and 16 types of photoreceptors (compared to three for humans), giving these crustaceans the ability to perceive a wide spectrum covering from far red to ultraviolet, as well as polarized light.
    peacock-mantis-shrimp-eyes-closeup-o...tif
  • This is a mature giant isopod (Bathynomus doederleinii), approximately 12cm in length. This specimen was brought up from a depth of 300m to 400m in Suruga Bay, Japan.
    giant-isopod-bathynomus-doederleinii...tif
  • A pile of giant isopods (Bathynomus doederleinii), caught at a depth of 300m to 400m in Suruga Bay, Japan. This photograph of the ventral side of an isopod provides a clear view of the seven body segments (pereon) and the mouth structure (which comprises mandibles, maxillae 1, maxillae 2, and the first set of limbs, which are called the maxillipeds).
    giant-isopods-bathynomus-doederleini...tif
  • Hasegawa-san surveying the ocean in the moody pre-dawn blue light, contemplating the upcoming hard work of bringing up traps for giant isopods (Bathynomus doederleinii) set the previous day
    deep-sea-fishing-early-morning-surug...tif
  • Senbei rice crackers made with giant isopods (Bathynomus doederleinii) available for purchase at a popular seafood market frequented by tourists
    giant-isopod-senbei-rice-crackers-fo...tif
  • This is a juvenile giant isopod (Bathynomus doederleinii), approximately 6cm in length. As shown here, juveniles exhibit six pairs of legs, with the rearmost seventh pair typical of isopods folded underneath the carapace and only becoming fully functional when the isopods mature. This specimen was brought up from a depth of 300m to 400m in Suruga Bay, Japan.
    giant-isopod-juvenile-bathynomus-doe...tif
  • Hasegawa-san with a freshly caught species of deep-sea king crab (Lithodes turritus), known as hari-ibaragani in Japanese. This was caught at a depth of 1000m.
    hasegawa-san-deep-sea-king-crab-lith...tif
  • This is a juvenile deep-sea crab, Paralomis multispina. This species is known from the waters of Japan across to Alaska and down to California. It is one of many species of the king crab genus Paralomis. This juvenile was about 7cm in size. It was brought up from a depth of 1000m in Suruga Bay, Japan. The Japanese name is Ezo-Ibarabani.
    paralomis-multispina-king-crab-juven...tif
  • Head-on view of a mature giant isopod (Bathynomus doederleinii), approximately 11cm in length. From this angle, the crustacean’s compound eye structure is clearly visible, as are the two pairs of antennae. This specimen was brought up from a depth of 300m to 400m in Suruga Bay, Japan.
    giant-isopod-front-view-bathynomus-d...tif
  • Hasegawa father and son team preparing traps to be set a depths of 300m to 400m for giant isopods (Bathynomus doederleinii)
    hasegawa-san-preparing-traps-giant-i...tif
  • This is a Columbus crab (Planes major), a small oceanic crab that lives on floating objects such as seaweed, driftwood and other debris, or in association with animals such as by-the-wind sailors (Velella velella) or turtles. They can appear in different colors. This one was found together with a mass stranding of thousands of Portuguese man-of-war colonial siphonophores (Physalia utriculus) and by-the-wind sailors. The crab was between one and two centimeters. This species was previously known by the name Planes cyaneus.
    columbus-crab-planes-major-south-afr...tif
  • This is a parasite that was associated with a Mola mola ocean sunfish. It is a copepod of the family Caligidae (possibly Caligus sp. or Lepeoptheirus sp.), the carapace slightly over 1cm in length. The long appendage visible at the rear end is one of two original appendages. The other one fell off. The one that is visible is actually split into two. Each slit carried a developing juvenile copepod. There is one remaining one visible at the distal end.
    parasitic-copepod-associated-with-mo...tif
Next
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
x

Tony Wu Underwater Photography

  • Search Image Archive
    • All Galleries
    • Search
    • Cart
    • Lightbox
    • Client Area
  • View Portfolio
  • Read About Me
  • Send Me a Note
  • Portfolio