Australian Amphipoda: Ampeliscidae

J.K. Lowry, P.B Berents & R.T. Springthorpe

Ampelisca acinaces Stebbing

Ampelisca acinaces Stebbing, 1888: 1036, pls 101, 102. --Della Valle, 1893: 476, pl. 57, fig. 43. --Stebbing, 1906: figs 25, 26. --Stebbing, 1910: 635. --Sheard, 1937: 19. --Lowry & Poore, 1985: 261, figs 1-2.

not Ampelisca acinaces. --Thomson, 1902: 464. --Chilton, 1906: 268. --Chilton, 1917: 87. --K.H. Barnard, 1931: 119.

Type material. HOLOTYPE, female, BMNH 1889.5.15.119.

Type locality. Port Jackson, New South Wales (33º 51´15˜S 151º 22´15˜E).

Description. Based on Lowry & Poore, 1985: 261, figs 1-2. Head longer than deep; rostrum absent; abutting antenna 1; lateral cephalic lobe absent; anteroventral margin subquadrate; eyes present, two pairs with cuticular lenses. Antenna 1 short, subequal to or slightly shorter than peduncle of antenna 2; peduncular article 2 long (about 1.5 to 2.5 x length of article 1). Mandible palp article 2 tapering distally.

Peraeon. Coxae 1 to 3 with small posteroventral hooks on coxae 1 to 3. Gnathopod 1 simple; propodus palm absent; coxa anterior margin slightly concave, anteroventral corner produced. Peraeopods 5 and 6 carpus medium, about 2 x as long as broad, slightly or not produced along posterior margin of propodus. Peraeopod 7 basis expanded posteriorly, posterior margin oblique, ventral margin densely setose, free anterior margin lacking setae near junction with ischium; ischium longer than merus; merus anterior lobe slightly produced along anterior margin of carpus, merus posterior lobe absent; carpus anterior lobe slightly produced, short (about as long as broad); propodus inflated; dactylus broad at base, tapering distally.

Pleon. Epimeron 3 posteroventral margin oblique, convex, corner without notch or cusp, corner broadly rounded. Urosomite 1 wedge-shaped. Uropod 2 inner ramus with two dorsal rows of robust setae; outer ramus with a large subterminal robust seta. Uropod 3 rami, inner margins smooth proximally; outer ramus lanceolate. Telson longer than broad, moderately cleft, distal margin rounded, with mid-dorsal robust setae, inner margin without robust setae along inner margin, distal margin with apical setae.

Habitat. Marine; soft bottom.

Depth zone. Continental shelf (30 to 200 m).

Distribution. New South Wales: Port Jackson (Stebbing, 1888); east of Long Reef (Lowry & Poore, 1985).

Geographic areas. South-eastern Australia.

Cite this publication as: 'J.K. Lowry, P.B Berents & R.T. Springthorpe (2000 onwards). Australian Amphipoda: Ampeliscidael. Version: 21st September 2000. https://crustacea.net'.