• Phoratopodidea Brandt, A. & Poore, G.C.B. 2003. Higher classification of the flabelliferan and related Isopoda based on a reappraisal of relationships. Invertebrate Systematics 17: 893-923 [917].

Introduction

The single species, known from a two specimens from South Australia (Hale, 1925), was redescribed by Bruce (1981). While superficially similar to cymothoidans the species has uniquely wide merus–propodus on pereopods 4 and 5 with greatly reduced dactyli. Bruce (1981) noted similarities with some idoteid valviferans. The species was placed in its own suborder by Brandt & Poore (2003).

Diagnosis

Head-pereonite 1 free. Pereopodal coxal dorsal plates 1–6 present; coxal dorsal plate 1 fused to tergite; coxal dorsal plate 7 absent (coxal dorsal plate 6 and pleonal 1 or 2 epimeron in contact); ventral coxal plates 1–7 (medial extension of coxa replacing sternite) obsolete (not distinguished from sternite). Pleotelson incorporating pleonite 6 only, pleonites 1– 5 free. Pleotelson underside flat, without ventrolateral ridges (pleopods not enclosed laterally). Mandibular lacinia mobilis present on both sides; molar flat triangular blade-like or conical process; palp present. Maxilla trilobed. Maxillipedal endite reaching at least distal margin of palp article 2, usually distally truncate and setose. Pereopods 4 and 5 merus–propodus much wider than those of pereopods 2 and 3, with reduced dactyli. Pleopodal exopods uniarticulate. Pleopod 1 biramous. Pleopod 2 biramous. Pleopod 3 biramous; endopod more or less oval or rectangular, rounded distally. Telsonic region of pleotelson elongate, anus situated anteriorly on pleotelson. Uropod situated anterolaterally on pleotelson; peduncle not operculate; rami ventral to pleotelson, articulating from side to side in vertical axis inside branchial chamber.

General References

Brandt, A. & Poore, G.C.B. 2003. Higher classification of the flabelliferan and related Isopoda based on a reappraisal of relationships. Invertebrate Systematics 17: 893-923

Bruce, N.L. 1981. Redescription of the isopod (Crustacea) family Phoratopodidae. Beaufortia 31: 107-110

Hale, H.M. 1925. Review of Australian isopods of the cymothoid group. Pt I. Transactions of the Royal Society of South Australia 49: 128-185

History of changes

• Phoratopodidae Hale, H.M. 1925. Review of Australian isopods of the cymothoid group. Pt I. Transactions of the Royal Society of South Australia 49: 128-185 [158].

Introduction

The single species, known from a two specimens from South Australia (Hale 1925), was redescribed by Bruce (1981).

Diagnosis

Body strongly vaulted. Head flat, anterolateral margins slightly incised; eyes dorsolateral, reduced. Pleonites 1–5 free. Antenna 1 larger than antenna 2, peduncle 4–articulate; antenna 2 peduncle 5–articulate. Frontal lamina indistinct, clypeus and labrum prominent. Mandible massive, incisor quadridentate; palp 3–articulate, molar process vestigal, lacinia mobilis fused as second cutting edge. Maxilliped with palp setose, endite flat, broad. Pereopods greatly dissimilar: pereopod 1 chelate; pereopods 4 and 5 with article 3–5 greatly expanded and flattened; pereopods 4–7 with dactyli reduced or absent; pereopod 7 with small coxa. Pleopods with all rami setose. Uropods inserted anterolaterally on pleotelson, mobile. The diagnosis follows that of Bruce (1981).

General References

Bruce, N.L. 1981. Redescription of the isopod (Crustacea) family Phoratopodidae. Beaufortia 31: 107-110

Hale, H.M. 1925. Review of Australian isopods of the cymothoid group. Pt I. Transactions of the Royal Society of South Australia 49: 128-185

History of changes

• Phoratopus Hale, H.M. 1925. Review of Australian isopods of the cymothoid group. Pt I. Transactions of the Royal Society of South Australia 49: 128-185 [158].

  Type species:

   Phoratopus remex Hale, 1925 by monotypy.

Distribution

States

South Australia

IMCRA

Great Australian Bight Shelf Transition (32), Spencer Gulf Shelf Province (33)

Original AFD Distribution Data

Australian Region

• Australia
  • 200 m bathymetric: G. Aust. Bight, S Gulfs coast
  • South Australia

History of changes

• Phoratopus remex Hale, H.M. 1925. Review of Australian isopods of the cymothoid group. Pt I. Transactions of the Royal Society of South Australia 49: 128-185 [158].

  Type data:

   Holotype SAMA C302 ♀, Encounter Bay, SA.

Distribution

States

South Australia

IMCRA

Great Australian Bight Shelf Transition (32), Spencer Gulf Shelf Province (33)

Original AFD Distribution Data

Australian Region

• Australia
  • 200 m bathymetric: G. Aust. Bight, S Gulfs coast
  • South Australia

Ecological Descriptors

Continental shelf, marine.

General References

Bruce, N.L. 1981. Redescription of the isopod (Crustacea) family Phoratopodidae. Beaufortia 31: 107-110 (redescription, phylogeny)

History of changes