Grube, 1861
Description:
Body strongly depressed, largely devoid of setae and spines. Coxal plates short, plates 1 and 2, and to a lesser extent 3 to 5 prolonged anteriorly. Epimeral plates broadly rounded. Head large and broad, lateral lobes rounded; eyes small and rounded. Antennae short and very robust, larger in male than female, peduncles with inner margins spinose. Antenna 1 little stouter than 2, flagellum minute, 2-articulate. Antenna 2 peduncle article 3 broad and robust especially in male, article 4 in male with inner margin crenulate, flagellum minute 2-articulate. Gnathopod 1 very slender, propodus with tuft of long apical setae concealing minute dactylus; in male gnathopod 1 may be very reduced in size. Female gnathopod 2 carpus and propodus about equal in length, setose, posterior margins finely setulose. propodus elongate oval, palm strongly oblique, dactylus long and slender. Male gnathopod 2 basis lobed distally, propodus extremely large and robust, palmar margin with 2 small tubercles, delimited by slender process, dactylus short and stout. Pereiopods 3 to 7 similar, slender. Urosome small; uropods 1 to 3 in female with rami lanceolate; uropod 1 in male, inner ramus with slender curved apex forming pincer with tip of outer ramus; uropods 2 and 3 in male with rami lanceolate. Telson broad, entire, apex narrowly rounded.
Size:
Up to 5 mm.
Colour:
Red or brown with dorsal markings.
Habitat:
Depth range from 0 to 100 metres; usually associated with sponges.
Distribution:
Shetland, English Channel, Mediterranean; Atlantic coast of Europe and North Africa; Red Sea: South Africa; Bay of Bengal. |
