Odontodactylus brevirostris

Adults have elongated bodies with large stalked eyes and mottled brown coloration.^[3] The uropods are pink and the raptorial appendages display alternating red and white bands.^[3] These modified second maxillipeds end in calcified "clubs"; using a latch‑mediated spring mechanism they strike prey at 12–23 m/s and generate cavitation bubbles, producing forces up to about 1 500 N.^[4] Like other mantis shrimps, the species has complex compound eyes with up to 16 photoreceptor pigments and is able to detect ultraviolet and polarised light.^[5]

O. brevirostris has an elongated, slightly flattened body with a broad carapace and large, independently movable eyes.^{[citation needed]} The dorsal surface is mottled brown, camouflaging the shrimp against sand and rubble; the uropods are pink and the raptorial appendages bear alternating red and white bands.^[3] Reported sizes range from about 2.5 to 7 cm (0.98 to 2.76 in) in length, although field observations from Hawaii suggest individuals may attain roughly 7.6 cm (3.0 in).^[6]

The eyes are divided into dorsal and ventral hemispheres separated by a midband and can move independently. Each eye contains up to 16 photoreceptor pigments, enabling detection of ultraviolet light and both linear and circular polarised light.^[5] Stomatopods can gauge depth with a single eye and perform complex scanning movements.^[5] A reniform body identified in the midbrain of mantis shrimps integrates colour information and may function in parallel processing of visual input.^[5] Research on mantis shrimp vision has inspired studies of parallel processing and image segregation in arthropod brains.^[5]

The genus name Odontodactylus comes from Ancient Greek ὀδούς (odoús), meaning 'tooth', and δάκτυλος (dáktulos), meaning 'finger'. The specific epithet brevirostris comes from Latin brevis, meaning 'short', and rostris, meaning 'snout'.^{[citation needed]}

O. brevirostris inhabits tropical and subtropical waters across the Indo‑West Pacific and Western Atlantic and lives in burrows excavated in sandy or rubble substrates.^[3][7] Records extend from the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea to Brazil, and across the central and eastern Pacific, including Hawaii, Indonesia, the Philippines and the Red Sea.^{[citation needed]} It is an uncommon smasher mantis shrimp found in sandy rubble at scuba depths.^[6] Its environment as benthic and tropical, with a depth range from the intertidal to 424 m (1,391 ft) and a typical range of 15–240 m (49–787 ft).^[7] The species prefers mud, fine to coarse sand or rubble with small stones, and individuals usually occur at depths of 40–100 m (130–330 ft).^{[citation needed]} O. brevirostris is diurnal and builds simple U‑shaped burrows in gravel with sand and small stones; at night it retreats into the burrow and closes the entrance.^[3] Juveniles may sometimes be found at the water's surface.^[7]

The shortnose mantis shrimp is a carnivorous, "smasher" type mantis shrimp. It preys on small crustaceans, molluscs and occasional fish, cracking open shells with its clubbed appendages.^[8][3] Its diet as including clams, crabs, small fish, mysid shrimp, rock shrimps, other shrimps, snails, zoobenthos and zooplankton.^[3] The species is diurnal, remaining close to its burrow to ambush passing prey.^[3] Burrowing also protects it from predators; the shrimp often seals itself inside at night.^[3] The strike mechanism of stomatopods involves storing energy in an elastic saddle and releasing it via a latch; the resulting impact and cavitation bubble can stun or kill prey.^[4]

O. brevirostris is solitary and territorial. Individuals defend their burrows aggressively against conspecifics and other intruders, displaying their brightly coloured appendages during threat postures. Visual communication may be enhanced by the species' sensitivity to polarised light, allowing mantis shrimps to perceive signals invisible to predators.^[5]

Specific studies on O. brevirostris reproduction are limited. Like other mantis shrimps, the species is presumed to engage in complex courtship involving tactile and visual displays. Fertilisation is internal, and females brood eggs either in the burrow or on the pleopods until hatching.^[9] Like many other stomatopods, this species likely mates for life and comes together only to mate; males produce sperm ducts rather than spermatophores, and females can brood up to 50 000 eggs.^[7] Eggs hatch into planktonic zoea larvae that drift for about three months before settling to the benthos.^[7] Larvae progress through several nauplioid and post‑larval stages before metamorphosing into juveniles.^[9]