Peacock Mantis Shrimp
Odontodactylus scyllarus
Sighting evidence at Mubarraz Reef, Abu Dhabi
Photo: Jenny · © all rights reserved
The rubble zones between coral heads at Mubarraz harbour resident peacock mantis shrimp that maintain burrows and defend territories against all comers. They are armed with raptorial clubs capable of delivering a strike with the acceleration of a bullet, which they use to crack open the shells of bivalves, crabs, and snails. Their trinocular vision with 16 photoreceptor types — compared to humans' three — allows them to perceive polarised light and ultraviolet wavelengths invisible to the human eye.
Evidence at this site
No confirmed records on file at this site
Peacock Mantis Shrimp is listed as a curated species here based on historical reports.