### Identification This 6–9mm amphipod is a master of subtlety. To identify *Abludomelita obtusata*, look for its translucent, pale-yellowish body and large, kidney-shaped black eyes that stand out against its ghostly frame. The defining field mark—and the source of its name—is the third epimeral plate (the lower-back segment), which has a distinctly rounded or "obtuse" hind corner. If you are lucky enough to spot a male, look for his massive, robust second gnathopods; these "claws" look like oversized boxing gloves compared to the delicate, slender limbs of the female.
### Habitat & Range A true North Atlantic specialist, this species is found from the icy fjords of Norway down to the warmer coasts of the Mediterranean. It is a creature of the subtidal zone, rarely seen by beachcombers but abundant for divers. It thrives on the seafloor, specifically favoring sandy or muddy basins and shell-gravel reaches at depths ranging from 10 to 50 meters, where the current brings a steady supply of nutrients.
### Behaviour On the seabed, *A. obtusata* is a frantic, side-scuttling gymnast. Largely nocturnal, it spends its daylight hours tucked into crevices or buried in the top layer of sediment. During the breeding season, observers might witness "amplexus"—a fascinating ritual where the male uses his powerful claws to clasp a female, carrying her beneath him for several days. This ensures he is perfectly positioned to mate the moment she molts her exoskeleton.
### Diet These amphipods are the ocean’s tiny janitors. As detritivores, they forage by sifting through "marine snow"—the organic debris and decaying matter that drifts down from the sunlit surface. They use their specialized mouthparts to graze on the microscopic film of bacteria and algae that coats every grain of sand on the seafloor.
### Fascinating Fact Despite their small size, they are remarkably social "squatters." *Abludomelita obtusata* is frequently found living as a commensal guest inside the discarded shells of large sea snails or even tucked within the complex branches of bryozoan colonies, effectively using the architecture of other animals as a private, fortified bunker!