User:Train8wreck3/Talorchestia longicornis

The supratidal amphipod Talorchestia longicornis is a substratum modifying, semi-terrestrial sandhopper, commonly known as a sandflea. "T. longicornis" inhabits sandy estuarine and coastal beaches along the East coast of North America from Newfoundland to northern Florida.

It rests in burrows during the day in the supratidal zone at or above the high tide line, where it rests during the day and. T. longicornis has a well documented biological rhythm- it rests in its burrows during the day and is active on the substrate at night. can be notedare found and burrows at or above the  and is most often found in high densities along estuarine shorelines Talitrid Group III substratum-modifying (fossorial), semi-terrestrial sandhopper. This sandhopper, also known as a sandflea, inhabits sandy beaches along the East Coast of North America and is most often found in high densities along estuarine shorelines. T. longicornis rests in its burrow during the day and emerges immediately after sunset to actively forage on the substrate at night. Although this amphipod feeds primarily on algae and washed-up plankton, it is an accomplished scavenger and eats almost anything containing organic matter. This sandhopper evolved from fully-aquatic amphipods and has been forced faced evolved from the fully aquatic life on land is a derived trait for T, it has evolved complex behaviors, extraordinary physiology, and distinct morphology to enable its survival in the harsh supratidal environment. These adaptations make T. longicornis a common subject of scientific research conducted by the Forward lab.

Description
T. longicornis retains the ancestral dorso-ventrally flattened body shape, though it is a relatively large amphipod when compared to the rest of the Gammaridea. Adult males can reach body lengths of 31 mm, although the average size is about ~21 mm. Males are slightly larger than females, and can be distinguished by significantly longer antennae, which can be up to 1.5x their body length. Males can be distinguished from females by their significantly longer antennae, which can be up to 1.5x their body length. The body has a waxy texture, and appears "white", "cream", or "sand" in color. Adult males range from 13-31mm in body length and 0.15-0.61g in total weight, whereas adult females range from are slightly smaller It is dorso-ventrally flattened, characteristic of exhibits themoves by saltating (or hopping). This bouncing form of locomotion is used in a predator avoidance reaction. It is done by rapidly extending their pleopods. They most frequently move by grawling. last uropods face forward. Males are observed to be larger than females, and can be distinguished by their significantly longer antennae. size shape color The closely resemble tolor megapluma and t saltator, traskiana, ugolinii, others

Taxonomic History
The present systematization of the T. longicornis is made according to Bousfield's 1984 phylogenetic method and is consistent with the ecological characteristics proposed by Spicer et al chadheres to the a member of the family Talitridae. The Talitridae evolved from the fully-aquatic amphipods that have evolved to live life on land. The phylogenetic-systematic method proposed by Bousfield groups the Talitrids by their degree of adaptation to life on land. The Talitrid Group III sandhoppers are characterized by incomplete adaptation to life on land and retain bimodal respiration capabilities. The amphipod places them into the which have evolved from the aquatic gammaridea amphipods. Group III sandhoppers include tolor megapluma and t saltator, traskiana, ugolinii, others. their evolution has been shaped by the constant threat of dessication Their physiology, behavior, ecology, and habitat are consistent with those of the Group III substratum-modifying, semi terrestrial, and fossorial sandhoppers, as was proposed in the phylogenetic-systematic method by Bousfield in 1984. These characteristics include complex behaviors, bimodal respiration, semi=terrestrial life spicer It has descended frm fully marine As talitrids live on land this is a derived characteristic Bousfield (1984) proposed T. longicornis as a member of the Group III sandhoppers. presumable to exploit the resource of this harsh barren environment

Distribution and Habitat
T. longicornis makes its home in the supratidal zone of sandy beaches. It is particularly fond of calm estuarine shorelines and often lives in high densities in these locations, although it also persist on exposed, coastal beaches. also lives on They are found on the East Coast of North America (Northwest Atlantic seaboard), from the Gulf of St. Lawrence to Northern Florida (WoRMS).

Life Cycle
importance to nutrient recycling

Ecology
The ecology of T. longicornis has been a subject of numerous investigations funded by NSF and conducted by the Forward Lab at the Duke University Marine Laboratory. The complex behaviors and physiology of T. longicornis make it an excellent model for research.

Behavior
T. longicornis readily eats Kimwipes for sustenance in captivity, and protein is supplemented by fish flakes.t. longicornis emerges from burrows immediately after dusk to actively forage on the substrate at night. They are active at night and rest in their burrows during the day. They demonstrate complex behaviors and have an endogenous circadian rhythym. complex behaviors The have an endogenous circadian rhythym entrain by light and temperature, with temperature dominant to light (Forward, 2009). They demonstrate complex behaviors, compared to normal amphipods.

Physiology
Bimodal respiration