Suborder TAINISOPIDEA

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Introduction

The unusual genus Tainisopus Wilson & Ponder, 1992, from freshwater pools and springs in the Kimberley region of Western Australia, cannot readily be placed in any isopod suborder. It is most similar to members of the Phreatoicoidea in having an enlarged pleonite 5, equality of other pleonites, general shape of the uropods, and presence of multiple lobes on pleopodal endopods. None of these is a uniquely phreatoicoidean character so are unlikely synapomorphies. The dorsoventral flattening of Tainisopus, especially of the pleotelson, contrasts with the usual lateral flattening of this suborder. Supposed similarity to asellotes is superficial. The genus is the only isopod with both a rudimentary secondary flagellum on antenna 1 and a basal article on antenna 2, characters seen separately in other isopods.

Wilson & Ponder (1992) did not place the two described species (and other undescribed species) in a family.

Diagnosis References

Wilson, G.D.F. 2003. A new genus of Tainisopidae fam. nov. (Crustacea: Isopoda) from the Pilbara, Western Australia. Zootaxa 245: 1-20

General References

Wilson, G.D.F. & Ponder, W.F. 1992. Extraordinary new subterranean isopods (Peracarida: Crustacea) from the Kimberley region, Western Australia. Records of the Australian Museum 44: 279-298

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