Anaspidacea: Families

J.K. Lowry & M. Yerman

Division of Invertebrate Zoology
Australian Museum
6 College Street, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia
Phone: 612 9320 6260
Fax: 612 9320 6050
jimlowry@crustacea.net
michelleyerman@crustacea.net

Introduction

Anaspidaceans belong to an ancient group of basal eumalacostracans known as the Syncarida. Syncaridan fossils are known from freshwater Carboniferous and Permian deposits. The approximately 70 extant anaspidacean species occur in southern South America, New Zealand and southern Australia, but the majority occur in Tasmania and a few sites in southern Australia.

Anaspidaceans are considered to be omnivores. They live in freshwater mountain streams, small ponds, crayfish burrows or among sphagnum mosses. One group, the stygocarids, are blind.

Anaspidaceans differ from other malacostracans in having a distinct peduncle and flagellum on antenna 1, no carapace and the females shed their eggs externally.

For more information on anaspicaceans: Bill Williams, Patsy McGlaughlin, etc.

Monographs and Interactive Keys

Anaspidacea Families
Anaspididae
Koonungidae
Psammaspididae
Stygocarididae

Cite this publication as: Lowry, J.K. & M. Yerman, (2002 onwards). 'Anaspidacea: Families.' Version: 2 October 2002. https://crustacea.net/.