Ramellogammarus similimanus
| Ramellogammarus similimanus | |
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| Species: | R. similimanus
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| Binomial name | |
| Ramellogammarus similimanus Bousfield, 1961
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Ramellogammarus similimanus is a crustacean species in the family Anisogammaridae. Because this amphipod only resides in the Portland metropolitan area, in Oregon, United States, it has been given the common name "Stumptown scud."[1]
Description[edit]
R. similimanus is about the size of a pinky nail.[1] It has a curled outer shell of a golden color[1] and long antennae.[1] Its appearance has been described as a "cross between a prawn and a potato bug."[2] Similar to marsupials, females have a pouch in which they carry their eggs.[2]
Habitat and range[edit]
The species is believed to only exist within the boundaries of the Portland metropolitan area.[1] It lives in small freshwater creeks and tributaries.[1] "Stumptown" is a nickname applied to Portland and several other locations in the United States.[3][4][5]
Behavior and ecology[edit]
R. similimanus is difficult to observe as it prefers to remain hidden under the organic material on which it feeds.[1][6] It can only move via connected waterways, limiting its geographic scope.[1] Scavenged dead and decaying material makes up its diet.[1] It is consumed by amphibians and fish.[1]
Mating involves a complex ritual.[2] Males search for maturing females who are nearly ready to molt out of their shells.[2] The males then ride the backs of the females to secure them and prevent other males from stealing their chosen mate.[2]
Research[edit]
The species was first described by Edward L. Bousfield in 1961.[7] The Oregon Zoo funded research conducted by Oregon State University through the "Oregon Zoo Foundation's Future for Wildlife program".[8] The researchers have used the environmental DNA methodology in order to minimize impact on a small and vulnerable population.[1]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Williams, Kale (May 3, 2017). "This tiny crustacean only lives in Portland" (Video). Oregon Live. Portland, Oregon. Retrieved May 3, 2017.
- ^ a b c d e Tomlinson, Stuart (May 1, 2017). "Stumptown scud: Researchers say small crustacean resides exclusively in Portland waterways". Portland, Oregon: KATU. Retrieved May 3, 2017.
- ^ "From Robin's Nest to Stumptown". End of the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center. Archived from the original on November 22, 2012. Retrieved January 23, 2012.
- ^ MacColl, E. Kimbark (1979). The Growth of a City: Power and Politics in Portland, Oregon 1915–1950. Portland, Oregon: The Georgian Press. ISBN 0-9603408-1-5.
- ^ MacColl cites the "4 March 1877, entry in 'Autobiographical Account', John C. Ainsworth Papers, OHS; Oregonian; 4 December 1900"
- ^ Vogt, Tom (April 23, 2017). "Off Beat: Stumptown scud doesn't live here, but its cousin does". The Columbian. Vancouver, Washington. Retrieved May 3, 2017.
- ^ *Thorp, James H., Ed.; Rogers, D. Christopher, Ed. (December 28, 2015). Thorp and Covich's Freshwater Invertebrates: Keys to Nearctic Fauna. Elsevier Science. p. 589. ISBN 9780123850294.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "Scientists scour Portland for 'Stumptown scud'". Oregon Zoo. April 19, 2017. Retrieved May 3, 2017.
External links[edit]
- Ramellogammarus similimanus – Portland Metro’s own freshwater crustacean species: What we know and don’t know by Bill Gerth
Further reading[edit]
- Eriksen, C.H. (1968) Aspects of the limno-ecology of Corophium spinicorne Stimpson (Amphipoda) and Gnorimosphaeroma oregonensis (Dana) (Isopoda). Crustaceana, 14, 1–12.
- Graening, G.O.; Rogers, D. Christopher; Holsinger, John R.; Barr, Cheryl; Bottorff, Richard (November 2012). "Checklist of Inland Aquatic Amphipoda (Crustacea: Malacostraca) of California" (PDF). Zootaxa. 3544: 1. doi:10.11646/zootaxa.3544.1.1. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:CDF4CD8E-93DD-48E2-BB5B-A17D067FCE47. Retrieved May 6, 2017.
- Turgeon, Donna D; American Fisheries Society (January 1, 2005). Crustacea. Vol. 31. American Fisheries Society. pp. 139, 512. ISBN 1888569646.
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