Suborder APSEUDOMORPHA Sieg, 1980

Apseudes gallardoi

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Suborder APSEUDOMORPHA Sieg, 1980

Compiler and date details

April 2011 - Kelly Merrin

Introduction

The classification of this suborder is the subject of controversy (Gutu 1981, 1996; Sieg 1980, 1984, 1986, 2001). The systematic position of Whiteleggiidae and Cirratodactylidae is especially uncertain. We follow Sieg (1984, 1986), Gutu (1996) and Gutu & Sieg (1999) and accept Whiteleggiidae as a separate family while Cirratodactylidae is considered a synonym of Kalliapseudidae. There are currently 14 families, eight of which are recorded from Australian waters. These eight (Apseudidae, Kalliapseudidae, Metapseudidae, Numbakullidae, Parapseudidae, Pagurapseudidae, Tanzanapseudidae and Whiteleggiidae) occur more or less commonly along the mainland coasts and on the shelf of the subantarctic islands. Gutu (1996) provided a key to families and genera.

Diagnosis

With or without eyes. Dorsoventrally depressed, body more or less semicircular in cross-section. Pereonites quite often with lateral processes (spine- or peak-like structures). Pleon typically formed by 5 pleonites and elongate pleotelson, pleonites often with pleurites. Antenna 1 biramous (except Tanapseudidae), 3–articled peduncle and multiarticled outer flagellum, inner flagellum 3– to 4–articled. Antenna 2 with 5–articled peduncle and multiarticled or reduced flagellum. Squama sometimes reduced or lacking. Mandibles of monocondyle type, typically with 3–articled palp which is sometimes reduced or lacking. Maxilla 1 with 2 endites, with or without palp. Maxilla 2 well developed, with several distinct lobes. Labium always with distal palp. Epignath cup-shaped. Maxillipeds never fused medially. Cheliped typically with semicircular coxa. Coxae of pereopods articulating laterally at the pereonites (visible dorsally). Pereopods show all kinds of specialisation (e.g., fossorial, ambulatory, climbing). Pleopods present or absent, endopod 1–articled, sometimes 2–articled. Uropods biramous, endopod typically long and multiarticled, exopod short and 2– to 8–articled. Marsupium formed by 4 pairs of sheet-like oostegites (in several families a reduced fifth pair of oostegites on the cheliped). Gonochoristic. Sexual dimorphism expressed in various degrees, but affecting only morphology of antenna 1 and cheliped. Mouthparts never lacking in the male.