Observations in life of Eiconaxius baja Kensley, 1996 (Crustacea, Decapoda, Axiidea, Axiidae), a sponge commensal lobster

Abstract

Three species of the sponge-dwelling lobster Eiconaxius are known from the eastern Pacific. Previous reports and descriptions were based on dead specimens. During a study by remotely operated vehicle, Eiconaxius baja was photographed in situ at the San Juan Seamount within a sponge of the family Phariidae. It tried to escape by swimming backward. Illuminated by the lights of the vehicle, the lobster had an orange color. The depth at which the lobster lives has no ambient light, so the function of the color remains uncertain.