Cubaris murina, commonly known as the little sea isopod or little sea roly poly, is a species of woodlouse in the family Armadillidae. It is found in North America, Africa, South America, Australasia, tropical Asia, and the Pacific Ocean.[1][2][3]
Cubaris murina may reach a length of 11 millimeters and a width of 5 millimeters.[4] It is capable of rolling into a ball when disturbed; this ability is known as conglobation.
Distribution
C. murina is known to occur in Cuba, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, Saint Thomas Island in the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Oahu, in North America; Brazil and Cayenne, French Guiana in South America; the Seychelle Islands in the Indian Ocean, and Sumatra, Indonesia, in Southeast Asia. [4] It is possible that the species was introduced to the Americas from Asia.[5]
As pets
Cubaris murina has become popular as a pet in the exotic animal hobby. They have practical applications in improving the health of terrariums by serving as a bioactive clean-up crew, and are also valued for the attractive appearance of some of its color morphs (slang for observed polymorphism). Known morphs of Cubaris murina in hobbyist collections include:
Papaya - A dull pink variety that is believed by some to be the expression of some form of albinism
Glacier - An almost completely white variety with white eyes, legs, and antennae
Anemone - A variety with a calico or speckled visual pattern of orange and grey
Florida Orange - An orange variety isolated from a few wild caught individuals in Florida,[6] which gives them their name
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