Limnoria quadripunctata

Limnoria quadripunctata is a species of isopod from the family Limnoriidae.^[1]

Limnoria quadripunctata
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Malacostraca
Order:	Isopoda
Family:	Limnoriidae
Genus:	Limnoria
Species:	L. quadripunctata
Binomial name
Limnoria quadripunctata Holthius, 1949

Description

Limnoria quadripunctata can reach up to 4 mm in length, however are more typically 3 mm or less. Anatomical structure of the species conforms to typical isopod patterns. The pleotelson has a square, anteromedial array of four punctae, characteristic to L. quadripunctata.^[2]

Distribution

The species has been reported in southwestern Ireland, southern UK, western France, Portugal, southwestern Italy, the West Coast of the US, Chile, New Zealand, southern Australia, the southern Indian Ocean in Saint Paul and Amsterdam Islands, and between Table Bay and Port Elizabeth in South Africa.^[2]

Habitat

Limnoria quadripunctata lives in wooden structures, such as fallen trees or branches carried to the ocean by river. The species is mainly observed in the intertidal zone, though some specimens have been collected from 30 m. Its distribution may suggest L. quadripunctata is limited to temperate water.^[2]