Invisible Oceans Founder's Collection: Invisible Oceans #18: Stomatopoda III

The earlier stage of a mantis shrimp is this zoeal stage. Clearly it has not yet grown those huge raptorial forelimbs, so we have to conclude that at this time of its life the larva feeds upon a different type of prey to that which it will live off in a month or two later in its life. Notice too that at this stage it values the protection of spines with which to deter would-be predators. Furthermore, the eyes are snug within the protection of the thoracic shield and we have to imagine that 3-D viewing is not so important to its survival at this time in its life.

Lizard Island, Australia (1986)

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