Local marine biologist Alan Deidun shared a video to social media to continue his ongoing educational campaign when it comes to marine flora and fauna.
This time, he shared a video of the blink-and-you’ll-miss-them sea slaters, known in Maltese as ‘Dudu tas-Sajd’ (scientific name: Ligia italica).
The isopods ‘have disappeared from numerous coastlines in recent years, presumably due to pollution and urbanisation/development issues’, Deidun explained.
‘These critters are a favourite with anglers, who pluck them off the rock as bait on their hooks’, continued the marine biologist.
The sea slaters typically live in tidal zone cliffs and rocky beaches, but are there are many terrestrial species which occur in high-humidity environments.
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