Chapter 1
The physics of the pop
Chapter 2
The ultimate roommate agreement
Chapter 3
Underwater sonic warfare
Chapter 4
The weird world of eusocial colonies
YOUR GOAL
Master of The secret sonic weapon of the pistol shrimp
Ch 4 · The weird world of eusocial colonies
alicecooks Eusocial Snapping Shrimp Colonies
Deep in the sponge, one royal queen, hundreds in the crew!
alicecooks Easily identified by her bright green eggs, the largest queen focuses on reproduction while her offspring maintain and
alicecooks An isometric 3D model shows shrimp inside a labeled glass and chrome sponge.
Fun Fact
Sponge fortresses: Some social shrimp colonies are so large that they can contain up to 300 individuals living inside a single loggerhead sponge.
Glossary
eusociality (noun)
An advanced form of social organization characterized by cooperative brood care, overlapping generations, and a division of labor. In 1996, biologist J. Emmett Duffy discovered this system in sponge-dwelling snapping shrimp.
An advanced form of social organization characterized by cooperative brood care, overlapping generations, and a division of labor. In 1996, biologist J. Emmett Duffy discovered this system in sponge-dwelling snapping shrimp.
Quiz
In what year did marine biologist J. Emmett Duffy discover eusociality in snapping shrimp?
Quiz
How many individual shrimp can live together in a single loggerhead sponge colony?
Quiz
Which pistol shrimp species was the first marine animal discovered to be eusocial?