Hairy squat lobster
Lauriea siagiani
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Subphylum
- Crustacea
- Class
- Malacostraca
- Order
- Decapoda
- Family
- Galatheidae
- Genus
- Lauriea
- Species
- Lauriea siagiani
The hairy squat lobster (Lauriea siagiani) is a tiny, fuzzy purple-and-white crustacean that lives almost exclusively inside the folds of giant barrel sponges.
Measuring only about 1 cm, its body and claws are covered in long, iridescent bristles that trap particles and help it blend into the sponge's rim. Individuals often sit in small groups deep in the sponge's grooves, feeding on mucus and organic material.
It is a favorite macro subject throughout the Philippines: our video was filmed on a barrel sponge in Sogod Bay, Southern Leyte, and it is regularly found on barrel sponges at many other Philippine dive sites as well.