Family PLATYARTHRIDAE Verhoeff, 1949

Trichorhina tropicalis

© Copyright from Lewis 1998.

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Introduction

The family Platyarthridae is widespread elsewhere, but is not well known in Australia. Platyarthridae (without pleopodal lungs) and Trachelipodidae (with lungs) can be difficult to distinguish. The pleopodal lungs are not always conspicuous in trachelipodids. The family name has been attributed to Vandel (1946) who erected a subfamily "Squamiferinae" of Porcellionidae for Platyarthrus and Trichorhina but this name is not based on a genus name. Vandel himself (1973) equated Platyarthridae Verhoeff, 1949 to "Squamiferidae Vandel, 1946".

Diagnosis

Body length usually 6 mm or less. Animal does not conglobate. Body outline not or scarcely interrupted between pereon and pleon. Dorsal surface of body with conspicuous scales. Eye small, with fewer than 10 ommatidia, degenerate or absent. Antenna 2 flagellum with 2 articles. Without pleopodal lungs.

General References

Schmalfuss, H. & Ferrara, F. 1978. Terrestrial isopods from West Africa. Part 2: Families Tylidae, Ligiidae, Trichoniscidae, Styloniscidae, Rhyscotidae, Halophilosciidae, Philosciidae, Platyarthridae, Trachelipidae, Porcellionidae, Armadillidiidae. Monitore Zoologico Italiano n.s., Monographie 11: 15-97

Vandel, A. 1946. La répartition géographique des Oniscoidea (crustacés isopodes terrestres). Bulletin Biologique de la France et de la Belgique 79: 221-272

Verhoeff, K.W. 1949. Über Land-Isopoden aus der Turkei. III. Revue de la Faculté des Sciences de l'Université d'Istanbul B 14: 21-48

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