Gonodactylus
Premium Member
The Pseudosquillidae are an unusual group of mantis shrimp whose relationship to other stomatopods remains a mystery. Until recently they were placed in the Gonodactyloidea making them the only spearers in that group. New molecular evidence suggests that they should be in a group of their own with relatively ancient origins.
Be that as it may, they are some of the most colorful of all stomatopods and some of the least understood. Several species in the genus Raoulserenea live in association with coral and coral rubble and unlike other spearers, occupy cavities which they defend. I find the Raoulserenea particularly interesting because of their false eyespots on the carapace.
While R. komai and R. hieroglyphica are fairly common in the aquarium trade, I recently came by a large (80 mm) male R. oxyrhyncha from Cebu. The red intersegmental bands similar to G. ternatensis and G. smithii are common in this genus and suggests that this color pattern is deeply seated in stomatopod evolution. Note the fractured cuticle, damage probably inflicted by a smashing species.
Roy
Be that as it may, they are some of the most colorful of all stomatopods and some of the least understood. Several species in the genus Raoulserenea live in association with coral and coral rubble and unlike other spearers, occupy cavities which they defend. I find the Raoulserenea particularly interesting because of their false eyespots on the carapace.
While R. komai and R. hieroglyphica are fairly common in the aquarium trade, I recently came by a large (80 mm) male R. oxyrhyncha from Cebu. The red intersegmental bands similar to G. ternatensis and G. smithii are common in this genus and suggests that this color pattern is deeply seated in stomatopod evolution. Note the fractured cuticle, damage probably inflicted by a smashing species.
Roy
