Dana, 1852

Description
Free edges of carapace spined, the inferio- posterior angle of carapace bears a larger spine [s] [P.avirostris-f/m ]. Six pairs of legs, the most posterior reduced. Antenna projected forward. Adult copulatory organs longer than the postabdomen.
Female head with prominent rostral point; antennulae small and truncated.
Male head rounded; antennulae [a1 as long as carapace. Male first leg with a strong distal hook.

Size
Female 0.5-1.2 mm; males 0.7-0.9 mm.

Depth range
Epipelagic.

Ecology
Coastal water species, rare in open oceans. Filter feeder on bacterio- and phytoplankton.

Distribution in the North Sea
Southern North Sea, German Bight, Kattegat.

World distribution
Coastal waters of the tropical and subtropical oceans and warm, temperate regions.

Remark
P. avirostris has been reported from the North Sea as north as 52°N. The species has been found off Helgoland (ca. 54°N) since 1990 regularly.

Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Arthropoda
Subphylum Crustacea
Class Branchiopoda
Order Cladocera
Family Sididae
Genus Penilia
Species Penilia avirostris

Status in World Register of Marine Species

Accepted name: Penilia avirostris Dana, 1849

Sorry, there are no scientific synonyms and common names available for this species

Båmstedt, U., J.H. Fosså, M.B. Martinussen and A. Fosshagen, 1998. Mass occurrence of the physonect siphonophore Apolemia uvaria (Lesueur) in Norwegian waters. Sarsia, 83: 79-85.

Della Croce, N., 1974. Cladocera. Fiches d'Identification du Zooplancton, 143 (1974). Conseil International pour l'Exploration de la Mer, Kopenhagen.

Rammer, W., 1939. Cladocera. Fiches d'Identification du Zooplancton, 3 (1939). Conseil International pour l'Exploration de la Mer, Kopenhagen.

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