Family VERMECTIADIDAE Just & Poore, 1992

Vermectias nelladanae

© Copyright from Just & Poore 1992.

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Introduction

The two species of Vermectias may be the most primitive asellotes, with three free pleonites. The family is confined to Subantarctic coasts.

Diagnosis

Head projecting between antennae 1. Pleon of 3, free articulating pleonites together shorter than pleotelson. Entire pleon strongly reduced, much shorter and narrower than pereonite 7. Mouthparts strongly prognathous; mandibles with cylindrical, apically truncate molar and 3-articulate palp; maxilliped with well-developed epipod and 5-articulate palp. Pereopods ambulatory, with 3 claws. Male pleopods 1 and 2 not operculate. Male pleopods 1 with very short fused peduncles, rami fused to peduncle, but not fused in midline. Male pleopod 2 with endopod geniculate, article 1 subcylindrical, article 2 with shallow lateral groove. Female pleopod 2 absent. Pleopods 3 and 4 of both sexes enlarged, uniramous, inflated, strongly cuticularised sacks without setae and without discernible peduncle. Pleopod 5 absent. Uropods ventrolateral, biramous. Male penes free, inserted ventrolaterally at base of pereopods 7. Testes of 3 ovoid lobes in pereonite 2; vasa deferentia slender, straight. Female oopore in midventrolateral groove on pereonite 5. Opening of female cuticular organ immediately in front of oopore in same groove. Cuticular spermatheca present in preparatory female. Oostegites on pereopods 2–4.

General References

Just, J. & Poore, G.C.B. 1992. Vermectiadidae, a new primitive asellote isopod family with important phylogenetic implications. Journal of Crustacean Biology 12: 125-144