General Description

The species is notable for the small hook-like keel on the abdomen and a long hairy hand on the second walking leg of the male. Up to 15 mm long.

Biology

Gammarella berringar lives in sandy sediments in shallow bays and the continental shelf. The ways in which amphipods move depends on the arrangement of their legs. Most walk upright using most of the thoracic legs but this is very slow. Swimming using the three pairs of pleopods is much faster. The speciality of amphipods is the tail-flip, a rapid escape response where the abdomen flicks the animal away after the uropods are dug into the ground.

Habitat

Sandy sediments in shallow bays and the continental shelf, to depth of 27 m.

Soft substrates

Distribution guide

South-eastern Austria, including central and eastern Victoria.

Species Group

Microcrustaceans › Amphipods

Depth

Shallow (1-30 m)

Water Column

On or near sea floor

Max Size

15 mm

Diet

Organic matter

Commercial Species

No

Global Dispersal

Native to Australia

Species Code

sp. MoV 365

Conservation Status

• DSE Advisory List : Not listed
• EPBC Act 1999 : Not listed
• IUCN Red List : Not listed