Isocladus armatus

Isocladus armatus is a crustacean belonging to the family Sphaeromatidae, found primarily in the shallow waters of New Zealand. This benthic species typically inhabits temperate coastal regions, where it is part of the diverse marine ecosystem. Divers may encounter this species in waters that are generally less than 40 meters deep, with a significant number of sightings occurring at depths shallower than 10 meters. The life cycle of Isocladus armatus involves indirect sperm transfer and the brooding of eggs in a specialized pouch called the marsupium. These eggs eventually hatch into a postlarval stage known as manca before developing into fully mature adults. The species is part of the order Isopoda, which is mostly gonochoric, meaning individuals are distinctly male or female. Divers may find it interesting to observe the unique reproductive behavior of this species during their dives.