OK, this time I’m totally stumping all the smart-guys/gals who crushed my last two attempts at ID contests.
*crosses-fingers*
I, for one, welcome our new chitinous overlords.
Can anyone ID this little guy?
I’m working up a post about these bizarre animals and I’ll post it shortly after someone IDs it.
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Correct ID by Christopher Taylor.
Answer: Ostracod, Alacia valdiviae (highlight)
Photo from Russ Hopcroft.
For a while I’ve wanted to start up a weekly arthropod identification challenge, and I now think my readership is high enough to give it a try.
The idea is: Once a week I’ll post a photo or video of an arthropod that I’m planning to talk about. When someone figures out what it is, I’ll follow up with a post about the animal’s biology.
Let’s start with an easy one:
If you think you know who this little beastie is, leave a comment. Family name or specific common name will probably be acceptable if the exact species is unclear from the photo. Good luck.
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Correct family name by zombieroach.
Answer: Sunburst Diving Beetle, Thermonectus marmoratus (highlight)
Photo from Mandapaka et al., 2006.
I foolishly underestimated you guys. From now on I’m gonna require at least the correct genus.