Description:

Mantis Shrimp (Odontpdactylus spp)

The term Odontodactylus spp refers to the genus of mantis shrimp known as Odontodactylus. The most well-known species within this genus is the peacock mantis shrimp, Odontodactylus scyllarus. These fascinating marine creatures are renowned for their vibrant colours, complex vision, and powerful hunting abilities.

Physical Characteristics
Appearance: Odontodactylus species, particularly the peacock mantis shrimp, are among the most colourful invertebrates. Their bodies are a striking display of iridescent colours, including green, blue, red, and orange, with leopard-like spots on their carapace.

Size: They are relatively large for mantis shrimp, with a typical length ranging from 2 to 7 inches (5 to 18 cm).

Raptorial Appendages: They are “smashers,” meaning they have club-shaped forelimbs used to bludgeon and smash their prey. The force of their strike is one of the fastest and most powerful movements in the animal kingdom, capable of breaking the shells of crabs and mollusks and even shattering aquarium glass. The strike is so fast that it creates a phenomenon called “cavitation,” where a bubble of superheated vapour forms and then collapses, creating a secondary shockwave that can stun or kill prey.

Vision: Odontodactylus have some of the most complex eyes in the animal kingdom. Their eyes are mounted on stalks and can move independently, providing them with a wide field of vision. They possess at least 12 types of photoreceptors (compared to the three in humans), allowing them to see a vast spectrum of colours, including ultraviolet light, as well as polarised light.

Habitat and Behaviour
Habitat: Odontodactylus spp are native to the warm, shallow waters of the Indian and Pacific Oceans. They are typically found in U-shaped burrows they construct in the sand or among coral rubble, often near the bases of coral reefs.

Hunting and Diet: They are active predators, hunting during both the day and night. They are carnivorous, with a diet primarily consisting of hard-shelled invertebrates like gastropods, crabs, and bivalves. They use their powerful clubs to break open the shells of their prey to access the soft tissue inside.

Social Behaviour: While generally solitary and territorial, they can exhibit complex behaviours. Some species engage in ritualised fighting to defend their burrows. They also communicate using their elaborate colouration. Some species, like the peacock mantis shrimp, can form monogamous pair bonds, with both the male and female caring for the eggs.

Lifespan: In the wild, their lifespan is typically 6 to 7 years.

Other Facts
Common Names: The peacock mantis shrimp is also known by several other colourful names, including the harlequin mantis shrimp, painted mantis shrimp, and clown mantis shrimp.

Aquarium Inhabitants: Due to their vibrant colours and interesting behaviour, they are sometimes kept in aquariums. However, their powerful strikes make them a challenging species to house, as they can break glass tanks and kill other tank inhabitants.

Biomimicry: The remarkable durability and structure of their club-like appendages are of great interest to scientists. Research into this unique biological material is being conducted to inform the development of new materials for body armour, sports gear, and aerospace equipment.