California beach flea
Megalorchestia californiana
This record describes Megalorchestia californiana (species). Recorded family: Talitridae. Recorded order: Amphipoda.
Identification and Appearance
Megalorchestia californiana is a species of sand-hopper in the family Talitridae. It was first described in 1851 by the German naturalist Johann Friedrich von Brandt and is the type species of the genus Megalorchestia. It is commonly known as the long-horned beach hopper.
Identification notes
According to Walla Walla University , The large size and distinctive orange or red color of the base of the second antennae make this species unique in our area.
Wikipedia reference for Megalorchestia californiana: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Megalorchestia californiana.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Malacostraca
- Order
- Amphipoda (Amphipods)
- Suborder
- Senticaudata
- Family
- Talitridae (Beach Hoppers)
- Genus
- Megalorchestia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Vancouver Island, British Columbia to Laguna Beach, southern California
About Amphipods: the wider group
Order-level background for Amphipoda, the group containing Megalorchestia californiana. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Amphipoda includes ~10,000 described species of scuds, sand hoppers, and whale lice. While mostly aquatic, some species like sand hoppers (Talitrus saltator) are fully terrestrial, living on beaches above the tide line.
Ecological role of the group
Amphipods are critical detritivores in aquatic ecosystems, shredding leaf litter and recycling nutrients. Deep-sea amphipods have been found at the bottom of the Mariana Trench (10,994m), making them among the deepest-living animals on Earth.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Amphipods are standard test organisms in aquatic toxicology - Hyalella azteca is the EPA's primary freshwater sediment toxicity test species. They are also important food for fish in both freshwater and marine ecosystems.
Recorded sources for this group: EPA ecotoxicology, deep-sea biology, marine research. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of California beach flea (10)
Photo credits: Contributed by Ken Wolgemuth
Frequently Asked Questions About California beach flea
What is California beach flea?
California beach flea (Megalorchestia californiana) is a species in the family Talitridae, within the order Amphipoda.
How big is California beach flea?
Length up to 2.8 cm.
How do you identify California beach flea?
According to Walla Walla University , The large size and distinctive orange or red color of the base of the second antennae make this species unique in our area.
Where is California beach flea found?
Range: Vancouver Island, British Columbia to Laguna Beach, southern California