The
species of amphipods found in Cornwall run into the hundreds, many
are difficult to identify hence the reason that the majority do
not have a non scientific name. The amphipods include the extremely
common sand hopper and the bizarre skeleton shrimps.
The
common sand hopper Talitrus saltator can be found in their millions
on local beaches. Sand hoppers are nocturnal and during the day
they shelter under seaweed on the strandline or burrow into the
sand. If seaweed is lifted these creatures when disturbed will escape
by hopping, hence the name.
The
bizarrely shaped ghost shrimps Caprellidae are thin bodied with
heavy set forelimbs. They are slow moving and are found on the lowest
shore.