Hemisquilla ensigera pics from Cabrillo Marine Aquarium

[RyanN]

The wife and I decided to visit the Aquarium at Cabrillo beach today and we were both very impressed. The aquarium is dedicated to California species and habitats and is free of charge (they do ask for donations). Here are the pics I shot of their Mantis display.

Hope you enjoy:
http://www.home.earthlink.net/~naneyr/113-1391_IMG.JPG http://www.home.earthlink.net/~naneyr/113-1386_IMG.JPG

[dwarfatize]

Cool pics! what else did they have?

[Drew_P]

Very very nice! how big?

[RyanN]

Drew,

About 5-6". I wish it was a little more active when I was there.

dwarfatize,

I'll put a few of the better pics on my webpage tomorrow so you can see. Definately worth the visit though.

Ryan

[XxAngelzDustxX]

Nice pix!!!

cool looking mantis.

[James0_85]

:eek1: i want one :D is it a smasher or a spearer?

[Drew_P]

Hemisquilla ensigera are smasher's.

[Gonodactylus]

Actually, Hemisquilla is a modified smasher. It does not have the heavily armored and enlarged dactyl heal that is found in other gonodactyloids. It probably split off from other stomatopod lines quite a while back. There are only three species in the genus, one found on the west coast of the Americas, one in Brazil, and one in western Australia.

Typically, they do not do well in aquaria. although if you can provide an opportunity for them to burrow and water in the 15-17 C range, they will survive for at least several months.

You may remember that I posted a request on this site a month or two back asking for leads in obtaining several Hemisquilla. This is the height of breeding season for them in southern California and when they frequently show up in trawls. If anyone sees some for sale, please contact me.

Roy

[grampus]

how is it possible then that it's strike is so damn strong (it is the most powerfull strike of all right?) if it's dactyl heel is thinner than most smashers?

[Gonodactylus]

It is all a mater of scale. Large Hemisquilla californiaensis (note that the correct name for the southern California species is H. californiensis) can get to 30 cm total length. The largest Odontodactylus scyllarus, the largest true smasher gets to only about 18 cm). Believe me, you would not want to meet a 30 cm O. s. As it is, we are currently making direct measurements of the striking force of O. s and H. c. and and if you compare two animals the same size, the O.s. will be much more powerful. In fact, is suspect that the largest O.s. will turn out to be stronger than the largest H.c.

Roy

[dwarfatize]

Gonodactylus,
Almost to the big 500!:rollface: