AmphipodaTalitridae – Beach Hoppers

Uhlorchestia uhleri

This record describes Uhlorchestia uhleri (species). Recorded family: Talitridae. Recorded order: Amphipoda.

Identification and Appearance

Uhlorchestia uhleri - Uhlorchestia uhleri
Contributed by Aaron Hunt

Among the talitrids of northeastern North America, can be identified by combination of dark coloration, small eyes, segment 3 of antenna 2 about the same width as antennomeres, and number of antennomeres =12

Wikipedia reference for Uhlorchestia uhleri: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uhlorchestia uhleri.

Classification

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Malacostraca
Order
Amphipoda (Amphipods)
Suborder
Senticaudata
Family
Talitridae (Beach Hoppers)
Genus
Uhlorchestia

Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.

Habitat and Range

Habitat

Salt marshes

Geographic Range

Gulf Coast to Cape Hatteras

Additional species information

Species notes from the sources

Etymology: Uhlorchestia uhleri (Shoemaker, 1930)

About Amphipods: the wider group

Order-level background for Amphipoda, the group containing Uhlorchestia uhleri. 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.

Explore Amphipoda families and species →

Photos of Uhlorchestia uhleri (5)

Uhlorchestia uhleri - photo 1
Contributed by Aaron Hunt
Uhlorchestia uhleri - photo 2
Contributed by Aaron Hunt
Uhlorchestia uhleri - photo 3
Contributed by Aaron Hunt
Uhlorchestia uhleri - photo 4
Contributed by Aaron Hunt
Uhlorchestia uhleri - photo 5
Contributed by Aaron Hunt

Photo credits: Contributed by Aaron Hunt

Frequently Asked Questions About Uhlorchestia uhleri

What is Uhlorchestia uhleri?

Uhlorchestia uhleri is a species in the family Talitridae, within the order Amphipoda.

How do you identify Uhlorchestia uhleri?

Among the talitrids of northeastern North America, can be identified by combination of dark coloration, small eyes, segment 3 of antenna 2 about the same width as antennomeres, and number of antennomeres =12

Where is Uhlorchestia uhleri found?
FeatureDetails
HabitatSalt marshes
RangeGulf Coast to Cape Hatteras

How we use and review source data. Source count does not imply independent verification.

Photo credits: Contributed by Aaron Hunt. Contributors retain copyright over their individual contributions.