Ampelisca spinipes

Boeck, 1861

Description:
Urosome segment 1 with a prominent rounded dorsal keel, especially large in male; pleon segments 1 to 3 with a very slight dorsal keel. Epimeral plate 3 distal angle quadrate or with a minute tooth, posterior margin about straight. Head narrowly truncated, ventral margin convex. Antenna 1 in male and female about half body length, peduncle reaching to end of peduncle article 4 of antenna 2, peduncle article 1 about two-thirds length of 2, flagellum elongate about 30-articulate, flagellar articles with long setae. Female antenna 2 more than half body length, in male equal to body length, peduncle articles 4 and 5 about equal. Pereiopod 3 merus without distal lobe; pereiopods 3 and 4 dactylus rather straight and equal to length of carpus and propodus combined. Pereiopod 7 basis about equal to length of rest of appendage, ischium longer than merus, merus with very small anterodistal lobe, propodus elongate oval. Uropods 1 and 2 peduncle and rami with numerous small marginal spines; uropod 3 rami with numerous long setae. Telson elongate, deeply cleft, without dorsal setules and with only few short apical setules.

Size:
Up to 15 mm.

Colour:
Pale yellow, with orange speckles and shading.

Habitat:
Depth range from 0 to 650 metres, usually on coarse sand, fine or medium gravel or mixed sediments.

Distribution:
North Atlantic. American and European coasts; north and west Norway; North Sea; Atlantic coast of Europe and North Africa to Senegal.

%LABEL% (%SOURCE%)