Australian Amphipoda: Leucothoidae

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

Leucothoe ctenochasma Moore

Leucothoe ctenochasma Moore, 1987: 251, figs 9-10.

Type material. HOLOTYPE: female, about 3 mm, AM P36290; PARATYPES: 3 mm specimen, AM P36291; female (ovigerous), 3 mm, and a 2 mm specimen BMNH 1986:265:2.

Type locality. Ecklonia holdfasts, 3-4 m depth, Tinderbox, d'Entrecasteaux Channel, Tasmania.

Description. Based on Moore, 1987: 251, figs 9-10.

Head lateral cephalic lobe without cusp; cephalic keel present, cephalic keel similar in size to epistome; rostrum small to medium in size. Antenna 2 slender. Mandibles and maxillae well developed; mandibular palp 3-articulate. Maxilla 1 palp 2-articulate. Maxilliped ischial endite (outer plate) vestigial or absent, with lateral flange (weak).

Peraeon. Gnathopod 1 coxa large, not hidden by coxa 2, anteroventral corner produced, anteroventral corner broadly rounded; dactylus vestigial. Gnathopod 2 coxa at least as long as broad, rounded anteroventrally; carpus with simple apex; propodus palm convex, propodus palm weakly crenulate or smooth along entire margin; dactylus, inner margin smooth. Peraeopod 3 coxa about as long as broad, anteroventral corner overriding lateral face of coxa 2, not extending freely below it, ventral margin slightly convex. Peraeopod 4 coxa, posterior margin without posteroventral lobe. Peraeopods 5 to 7 basis expanded.

Pleon. Epimeron 3 posteroventral corner subquadrate.

Habitat. associated with holdfasts of the brown alga Ecklonia radiata and the sponges Callyspongia sp., Holopsamma laminaefavosa, Mycale (Carmia) sp. and Phorbas sp.

Depth zone. Littoral.

Distribution. New South Wales: Bare Island, Botany Bay (AM). Tasmania: Tinderbox, d'Entrecasteaux Channel (Moore, 1987).

Geographic areas. South-eastern Australia.

Cite this publication as: Lowry, J.K. P.B Berents & R.T. Springthorpe (2000 onwards). 'Australian Amphipoda: Leucothoidae.' Version: 2 October 2000. https://crustacea.net/'.