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Amphipods (Melita)

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Taxonomic group

Melitidae: Melita

Diagnostic features

Melita awa is an amphipod commonly found in coastal streams with some sea water intrusion. This species is strongly laterally compressed (as if squashed from the sides). The antennae are long, particularly the 1st (upper) antennae.

Amphipod (Melitidae): Long 1st antennae Image
Amphipod (Melitidae): Long 1st antennae
Amphipod (Melitidae): Dorsal view showing strong lateral compression Image
Amphipod (Melitidae): Dorsal view showing strong lateral compression

Typical habitats

Melita is primarily an estuarine genus, but they may venture upstream into fresh waters.

Feeding

Melita are likely to feed on organic biofilms growing on estuarine sediments.

Indicator value

  • Hard bottom: unassigned; general amphipod value 5
  • Soft bottom: unassigned; general amphipod value 5.5

The tolerance values (ranging from 0 to 10) give an indication of which are the sensitive taxa (values of 8 or more) and which are the tolerant taxa (values of 3 or less). For more information see: Indicator species

The presence of Melita probably indicates sea water influence more than other aspects of water quality. They have not been assigned tolerance values, but the general amphipod values are 5 (hard bottom sites) and 5.5 (soft bottom sites).