Family CIROLANIDAE Dana, 1852

Natatolana taiti

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Family CIROLANIDAE Dana, 1852

Compiler and date details

Niel L. Bruce, Helen M. Lew Ton & Gary C.B. Poore

Introduction

Cirolanids are common marine and estuarine crustaceans. Freshwater species occur only outside Australia. They are frequently found on sandy beaches, rocky shores, coral reefs, and on shelf and slope environments where they are scavengers, predators or occasionally commensals. A considerable number of genera and species are known from cave waters (Botosaneanu et al. 1986), with three species recorded from such a habitat in Australia. Bruce (1986) reviewed an extensive literature on the ecology of cirolanids from many localities. The family is cosmopolitan with more than 430 species in about 50 genera.

The history of the family and relationships between the numerous genera were discussed briefly by Bruce (1986). The keys in Bruce et al. (1982) and Bruce (1985, 1993) can be used to differentiate the family from the Aegidae, Corallanidae, Cymothoidae and Tridentellidae.

Over 100 species are known from Australia. They were reviewed in detail by Bruce (1986) who also listed all other species; more species have been added to the Australian fauna since. Kensley & Schotte (1989) recognised three subfamilies: Cirolaninae, Eurydicinae Stebbing, 1905, and Conilerinae Kensley & Schotte, 1989.

Diagnosis

Head with lateral grooves at each posterolateral angle; eyes lateral, small, multifaceted (when present). Pleonites 1–5 usually free; pleonite 5 with free lateral margins or overlapped by pleonite 4. Frontal lamina present. Mandible with tridentate incisor, spine row, large blade-like molar process and palp. Maxillipedal palp 5 articulate; endite present, as long as palp article 1. Pereopods 1–3 ambulatory, with prominent robust dactyli; pereopods 4–7 ambulatory or natatory. Pleopods all membranous, without ridges or folding. Uropods at anterolateral angles of pleotelson, freely articulating; both rami well developed and mobile. This diagnosis follows that of Bruce (1986).