Hemisquilla californiensis By Matt Young August 28, 2009 12:00 MST Photograph by Mike Bok. Photography contest: “Animal” category. Hemisquilla californiensis – magnified view of a uropod, or tail feather, of mantis shrimp. Bright colors for intraspecific communication are abundant on these animals, and their visual system is uniquely specialized for advanced color and polarization discrimination.