An Adventure into Stomatopod Photography and Microscopy

OPMantisShrimp · Jan 19, 2021

Occasionally when mantis shrimp molt, they throw out certain pieces of their old selves. Anything that cannot be consumed for extra calcium is discarded or if it just doesn't taste right. I call these "stomato-gifts". Through careful extraction procedures (grabbing with tongs when they are thrown out), I have assembled somewhat of a collection. For the longest time I photographed them with a simple smartphone camera but now I have made the journey into getting a closer view with the aid of my microscopes. Thusly I present the below. More to come as I get the time and camera settings correct on the scopes.

3 Pics of 40X on a G. chiragra dactyl
1 Pic of 2 G. chiragra dactyls
1 pic of an O. scyllarus Maxilliped
1 pic of an O. scyllarus raptorial appendage
1 pic of an O. scyllarus telson
1 pic of an O. scyllarus telson 40X
1 pic of an O. scyllarus uropod
1 pic of an assortment of O. scyllarus parts

Enjoy

FreshwaterConvert · Jan 19, 2021

“Stomatopods-gifts” following along for this, those shots are epic

Bepis · Jan 19, 2021

You should dip them in something to harden them then put them together to eventually create a model mantis

OPMantisShrimp · Jan 19, 2021

FreshwaterConvert said:
“Stomatopods-gifts” following along for this, those shots are epic

Thanks!

I am working on getting more focused shots at 80X to get real nice detail. I have yet to get tissue slices from the molts as I only have around 10-15 parts. She just molted so it will be a while before I can try tissue at 1000X

OPMantisShrimp · Jan 19, 2021

Bepis said:
You should dip them in something to harden them then put them together to eventually create a model mantis

Most have already hardened. The maxillipeds were dipped in 70% ethanol to clean as they were very "mushy" as opposed to the others. Dactyls always preserve well. I have had my G. chiragra dactyls since 2011 with no deterioration. It makes sense due to the significant calcification at the heal. Telson and uropods though are brittle.

I doubt I could make a full specimen just from molts as they tend to eat the more "soft parts". I don't want to be trying to take her calcium vitamins from her!