Allogalathea babai (Baba’s crinoid squat lobster)
Identification
Small (droplet-shaped) squat lobster with a broad pale, central stripe on the carapace, usually with thin dark borders surrounded by a color matching the host crinoid. There is a single spine behind the eyes on each side of its carapace.
Status
Unevaluated by the IUCN Red list, but considered fairly common, although difficult to spot unless you know it is there.
Habitat
Exclusively found on crinoids in the Indo-Pacific.
Reproduction
–
Size
Carapace up to 2cm.
Prey / Predation
It feeds on plankton, as does its host the crinoid, which also provides the squat lobster with good feeding areas.
Special features
First described in 2011, and found exclusively on crinoid hosts in the Indo-Pacific.
