Back from sps land, Dr.Roy can you check this?

[crafty_50mitchell]

Hello all, well after a long break from posting in the stomatopod forum Im back for some info, mostly from Dr.Roy. Prof. do you have any links to pics of G.Chiragras that you can post/link to? I just acquired a new Chiragra, however the coloration on the "elbow" of the raptorial appendage is somewhat different from what Ive seen with previous specimens (previously there was much less red coloration and more of a solid dark green). Im wondering if this difference in coloration/definition of coloration is due to sex or maturatiy differences. My previous chiragras started at 2.5-3" while this one is at 1.5".
Salute!
Brian

 

[crafty_50mitchell]

A little additional info since Ive had a little more time to observe him/her. The telson has two distinct larger points. Inside the raptorial appendages there (on each appendage) is a large black oval with a while oval encircling the black. This guy also seems to enjoy unfolding his appendages often to the point at which you can observe his "spear" easily, but employs his bright red/pink (front side, when closed) and yellow fringed (back side, when closed) appendages. Im fairly positive that this is not a G.Chiragra at this point (well pretty much 100% sure ). And havent been able to find any pics of him on the lurkers guide. Ill attempt to post a terrible pic of him I took with my cell phone in a little bit, plz try to id this fella.
CHeers,
Brian

here's a link to the incredibly fuzzy pic of him in my gallary:
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/53334dr_roy_plz_id.jpg

 

[Gonodactylus]

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/5463GchiragraLIRSlow.jpg[/IMG]

There are some populations of G. chiragra that are very light in color. ALmost all of the animals I catch on Lizard Island are light. In fact, out of over 100 captured, only one had the typical darker greenish brown and it was a male paired with a light female.

Roy

 

[Gonodactylus]

Don't know why this image didn't open, but it will if you click on it.

 

[crafty_50mitchell]

It opened for me Dr. Roy, the coloration of this guy is in fact a darker green but what is throwing me is the dark circles (surounded by the white halo) inside the appendages. From my previous chiragras I know this marking was not there. Also the coloration on the appendages is much different/ more vibrant. Essentially his coloration is a dark military green, at his segmental breakes the coloration inside is bright pink, his antennae are yellow (much like the chiragra), Im fairly sure this guy came as a hichhiker on fiji rock if that helps. Alright thx for the assistance, what Ill do is try to wrangle a much better pic to throw your way.
Cheers,
Brian

 

[Gonodactylus]

Are you sure the center of the meral spot is black and not a very dark purple or blue? What you are describing sounds to me like G. smithii. The red intersegmental bands are rare in this species, but I have seen them. Look at the anterior base of the uropod where it attaches to the abdomen. G. smithii has a red-orange knob that is only found in this species.

Roy

 

[Gonodactylus]

G. smithii threat

G. smithii threat

Does it look like this?

Roy

 

[Gonodactylus]

A different G. smithii

A different G. smithii

Note the color differences in this animal Guam.

Roy

 

[crafty_50mitchell]

Yeah Dr. Roy, youve nailed it. The first pic is him definetely! And yes the red/orange knob is present. Regarding the red intersegmental bands, what does this suggest? Geographical location, sex, sexual maturety, or just a rare color morph? Anyway Dr. Roy I really appreciate it.
Cheers!
Brian

 

[Gonodactylus]

All Gonodactylaceus ternatensis have the red bands, but I have only seen it in two Gonodactylus smithii - and I have seen literally thousands from around the Indo-Pacific.
Roy