Prawns
Prawns are familiar to everyone who likes seafood. The commercially caught prawns (e.g. Pennaeus) live mostly on mud bottoms and are rarely seen on reefs. Metapenaeopsis are commonly seen around reefsat night. They can bury themselves quickly with only their eyes and serrated head shield on the suface.
Mantis Shrimps
Mantis shrimps fall into two groups, the "Smashers" (e.g. Odontodactylus scyllaris, the Peacock Mantis) that have specially developed claw arms that can shatter even thick shells, crab bodies...camera lenses, and the "Spearers" (e.g. Lysiosquillina lisa, Lisa's Mantis) that have mantis like arms that are used to catch their prey. In both cases the arm movements are extremely fast with an acceleration for up to 10 400g and 25m/s.
The smashers attack is two-pronged. First there is extremely powerful physical blow. During the blow movement, vapour-filled cavities are formed in the water, and the shock wave generated by the collapse of these cavitation bubbles generates a shockwave powerful enough in itself to stun or kill small prey.
The photos clearly show their extraordinary eyes. These can be moved independantly, and are sensitive to a very wide range of light (including polarised light), making them the most complex eyes in the animal kingdom. Their acute vision is needed for hunting, fighting and recognising the detail of their surroundings.
Help Save Reefs!
The organisations that work to protect coral reefs and our oceans need as much support as they can get. Check out:
If you are a diver, and especially if you are an underwater photographer, donate. If you do nothing, there will be nothing to dive on and nothing to photograph.
These are suggestions, but not endorsements of the suggested organisations. It is your responsibility to review and check the charities you wish to donate to.
Prawns
Prawns
Prawns are familiar to everyone who likes seafood. The commercially caught prawns (e.g. Pennaeus) live mostly on mud bottoms and are rarely seen on reefs. Metapenaeopsis are commonly seen around reefsat night. They can bury themselves quickly with only their eyes and serrated head shield on the suface.
Mantis Shrimps
Mantis Shrimps
Mantis shrimps fall into two groups, the "Smashers" (e.g. Odontodactylus scyllaris, the Peacock Mantis) that have specially developed claw arms that can shatter even thick shells, crab bodies...camera lenses, and the "Spearers" (e.g. Lysiosquillina lisa, Lisa's Mantis) that have mantis like arms that are used to catch their prey. In both cases the arm movements are extremely fast with an acceleration for up to 10 400g and 25m/s.
The smashers attack is two-pronged. First there is extremely powerful physical blow. During the blow movement, vapour-filled cavities are formed in the water, and the shock wave generated by the collapse of these cavitation bubbles generates a shockwave powerful enough in itself to stun or kill small prey.
The photos clearly show their extraordinary eyes. These can be moved independantly, and are sensitive to a very wide range of light (including polarised light), making them the most complex eyes in the animal kingdom. Their acute vision is needed for hunting, fighting and recognising the detail of thier surroundings.
