Research Study

Investigating Morphological and Phylogenetic Relationships Among Isopods

ISOPODS

Habitat: Isopods are in the class Crustacean. There habitat is in shallow water, near the shore sometimes around rocks or seaweed. You can find Isopods ranging from the Gulf of St. Lawrence to North Carolina. Some of the largest isopods are found along the Northeast coast.

Morphology: Isopods have seven thoracic segments and eyes on the side of their head. They also have a second pair of antennae which point outward. The coloring of isopods can vary from green, greenish-yellow, to brown, and even translucent. Differences between species are typically found in their tail region. Some have pointed, arrow-shaped tails, while others have rounded tails.