(Stebbing, 1891)
Description:
Coxal plate 1 tapering distally, plate 2 quadrate with the distal margin about straight. Epimeral plate 3 posterodistal angle quadrate, acute. Eyes very large, irregularly rounded, black in colour. Antenna 1 in male not reaching end of peduncle article 4 of antenna 2, flagellum about 6-articulate. Antenna 1 in female just reaching end of peduncle article 4. Male antenna 2 peduncle variable, very robust, article 5 may exceed twice length of article 4, flagellum up to 30-articulate. Female antenna 2 much shorter and less robust than male. Antenna 2 flagellum, inner angle of each article with small tooth. Male gnathopod 1 carpus and propodus with narrow posterior lobe, palm very short, dactylus longer than palm. Female gnathopod 1 spinose, simple, carpus and propodus without posterior lobe, propodus about half length of carpus, palm not defined, distal margin of propodus only slightly broader than base of dactylus. Male gnathopod 2 merus with blunt process on inner distal margin, propodus very large and robust, palm strongly oblique, convex, poorly delimited, dactylus elongate and irregularly curved. Female gnathopod 2 merus with blunt process on inner distal margin, process well developed in small specimens but may be quite small in large specimens, carpus with asymmetrical lobe on posterior margin, propodus of mitten-type. Pereiopods 5 to 7 robust and strongly spinose. Uropod 3 ramus about equal to length of peduncle. Telson entire, with small dorsolateral and apical spines.
Size:
Up to 15 mm.
Colour:
Yellowish white, sometimes banded with yellow, or with a purple tinge.
Habitat:
Intertidal on sandy beaches or amongst stones, usually below high water mark and occupying a zone lower on the shore than Talorchestia deshayesii and Talitrus saltator , but may occasionally be found together with these species.
Distribution:
Atlantic coast of Europe west Denmark to western Mediterranean.