Family PLAKARTHRIIDAE Hansen, 1905

Plakarthrium australiense

© Copyright from Poore & Brandt 2001.

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Introduction

Plakarthriids are epizoans on large shallow-water algae. The family is known from only three species of Plakarthrium, one on the Antarctic Peninsula, South Georgia Is. and Chile, a second in New Zealand, and the third in southern Australia. Plakarthriidae Hansen, 1905 is an effective replacement name for Chelonidiidae Pfeffer, 1887 but is conserved under ICZN Article 40 (Poore & Brandt 2001). The similarities of this small family to other Flabellifera were discussed by Wilson et al. (1976) who could not decide on its affinities. Poore & Brandt (2001) thought an affinity with cassidiniine sphaeromatids likely.

Diagnosis

First coxa free and articulating. Margin of the body being defined by peduncular articles 1 and 2 of antenna 1, peduncular articles 3 and 4 of antenna 2, all coxae, uropodal rami. Pleotelson completely fused and without articulation.

Diagnosis References

Poore, G.C.B. & Brandt, A. 2001. Plakarthrium australiense, a third species of Plakarthriidae (Crustacea: Isopoda). Memoirs of Museum Victoria 58: 373-382 [374]

General References

Hansen, H.J. 1905. On the propagation, structure and classification of the family Sphaeromidae. Quarterly Journal of Microscopical Science 49: 69-135

Pfeffer, G. 1887. Die Krebse von Süd-georgien nach der Ausbeute der deutschen Station 1882–83. I. Teil. Jahrbuch der Hamburgischen Wissenschaftlichen Anstalten 4: 41-150

Poore, G.C.B. & Brandt, A. 2001. Plakarthrium australiense, a third species of Plakarthriidae (Crustacea: Isopoda). Memoirs of Museum Victoria 58: 373-382

Wilson, G.D., Thistle, D. & Hessler, R.R. 1976. The Plakarthriidae (Isopoda: Flabellifera): déjà vu. Journal of the Linnean Society of London, Zoology 58: 331-334

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