epimeriid amphipod Epimeria sp., possibly Epimeria robusta

The amphipods in these photos look like Epimeria robusta [7]. A few Epimeria species are smooth dorsally as shown here, but most species have characteristic dorsal outgrowths [3]. Epimeria species are found throughout Antarctica [4].



Some Epimeria species have been observed as ambush predators, sensing food or prey with their antennae and then grasping it [1,2]. With live, swimming zooplankton prey, one Epimeria species moves its first pair of antennae back and forth, creating a current to bring the prey closer to grasp [1].



Epimeria robusta is an opportunistic predator, with its stomach contents including sedimenting plankton, sponges, cnidarians, polychaete worms, crustaceans, and holothurians [8].



Here a juvenile is perched on the back of its parent; clusters of juveniles have been observed riding piggy-backed on Epimeria sp. [5].

Antarctic benthic amphipod predators include fish and squid [6].



Here are several juvenile Epimeria sp. clustered on the bush sponge Homaxinella balfourensis.

Among malacostracan crustaceans, amphipods are the most abundant and diverse group in benthic Antarctica [1].

1: Polar Biology 11(1):73-79, 1990; 2: Antarctic Science 3(2):159- 166,1991; 3: Journal of Natural History 28(3):555-576, 1994; 4: Catalogue of the Marine Gammaridean Amphipoda of the Southern Ocean. JK Lowry, S Bullock. Wellington : Royal Society of New Zealand, 1976. Royal Society of New Zealand Bulletin 16; 5: Christian McDonald, personal communication, 1999; 6: ANT'PHIPODA Checklist : http://www.natuurwetenschappen.be/amphi/; 7: Fauna der Antarktis. J Sieg & JW Wagele, eds. Berlin : P. Parey, 1990; 8: Polar Biology 24:657-662, 2001

Text ©Peter Brueggeman. Photographs ©Peter Brueggeman, Canadian Museum of Nature (Kathleen Conlan) & M Dale Stokes. Photographs may not be used in any form without the express written permission of Peter Brueggeman, Canadian Museum of Nature (Kathleen Conlan) & M Dale Stokes.