''Idotea metallica'', also known as the metallic isopod, is a species of

isopod Isopoda is an order of crustaceans that includes woodlice and their relatives. Isopods live in the sea, in fresh water, or on land. All have rigid, segmented exoskeletons, two pairs of antennae, seven pairs of jointed limbs on the thorax, an ...

in the family

Idoteidae The Idoteidae are a family (biology), family of isopod crustaceans. It includes these genera: *''Austridotea'' Poore, 2001 *''Batedotea'' Poore & Lew Ton, 1993 *''Cleantiella'' Richardson, 1912 *''Colidotea'' Richardson, 1899 *''Crabyzos'' Bate, ...

. It can be recognised by its metallic blue colouration and by the blunt, squared-off shape of the

telson The telson () is the posterior-most division of the body of an arthropod. Depending on the definition, the telson is either considered to be the final segment of the arthropod body, or an additional division that is not a true segment on accou ...

. It is found worldwide drifting on debris on high seas. It often gets blown inshore, where it is outcompeted by related species such as ''

Idotea balthica ''Idotea balthica'' is a species of marine isopod which lives on seaweed and seagrass in the subtidal zone of rocky shores and sandy lagoons. Distribution ''Idotea balthica'' has a broad geographical distribution, having been recorded from the ...

''.

References

Valvifera Articles created by Qbugbot Crustaceans described in 1802 {{isopod-stub