绿色Nephthea is one of the most colorful and popular soft corals in the aquarium hobby, but most aquarists (and scientists) have never heard of the curious crustacean which calls it home. The above illustration [credit: Bruce, 1994] depictsXynosphaeracolemani, the only species in its genus, which was scientifically described in 1994.
它是Sphaeromatidae家族中的等异形物，这是一群多样化的虾，偶尔会搭配礁石坦克。该家族中的等异脚类物种通常被视为碎屑，以它们碰巧遇到的任何有机物为食，因此发现它们时可以被视为有益的添加。Xynosphaera但是，过着不同的生活。
与典型的自由活动的Sphaeromatids Isopods不同，Xynosphaeralives within the living tissue of soft corals of the family Nephtheidae, which makes this the only known shrimp endosymbiotic in corals. The precise identification of the host coral isn’t known beyond the family level, but, since the coral is mentioned to be green, it seems most likely to be a species ofNephthea。
It has only been documented on three occasions in the wild, but this is likely due to the cryptic habits of this species rather than any real rarity. It occurs in shallow intertidal waters down to at least 5 meters, and has a widespread distribution (Madagascar, Philippines, Australia).
从本质上来说，对生活的生活历史一无所知Xynosphaera。它在珊瑚中存在的唯一证据是一个很小的缝隙，它大概可以让宿主喂食，但即使这只是猜想，因为显然从未在他们的珊瑚家外面看到过标本。已知其他等异脚动物位于海绵的组织中，但它们从未显示出任何供宿主进食的迹象，并且在这里大概是相同的。在所有的可能性，Xynosphaeraprobably leaves at night to scavenge for food, possibly pillaging particulates captured by the host coral’s polyps.
GreenNephtheais a fairly common offering in the aquarium trade, and so this shrimp likely appears in the occasional reef tank. Mature specimens can reach over 11 millimeters in length, fairly large for an isopod. They are white in color and unusually smooth and rounded for their family; this last feature is likely an adaptation to allow entry and exit from its host.
野生收集绿色的水族师Nephthea(and possibly related genera likeStereonephthea,Scleronepththea,Dendronephthea) should be on the lookout forXynosphaera。If your coral has any deformities or aberrations, try gently examining it physically, or shine a flashlight onto it after the lights have been turned off to check for the shrimp crawling about. Home aquarists are in a unique position to contribute to our understanding of this enigmatic creature, and any observations should be shared with the nearest carcinlologist.
