Leptocheirus hirsutimanus

(Bate, 1862)

Description:
Body robust, urosome without dorsal processes. Coxal plates elongate, distal margins setose; plate 1 very small, concealed by plate 2; coxal plate 2 very expansive, plates 3 to 5 successively shorter. Epimeral plate 2 with the distal margin rounded, setose; plate 3 with the distal margin concave, posterior margin broadly rounded and very weakly crenulate. Eyes small, rounded. Antenna 1 slender, little longer than antenna 2, peduncle article 1 slightly longer than article 2, flagellum up to about 17-articulate; accessory flagellum well developed, about 6-articulate. Antenna 2 peduncle articles 4 and 5 about equal, flagellum about 9-articulate. Gnathopod 1 densely setose, basis broad distally, ischium with the posterior margin broadly rounded, propodus and carpus slender, about equal length, palm short, oblique, dactylus about equal to the length of the palm. Gnathopod 2 interior margin of basis with many long plumose setae, merus setose on the inner margin, carpus broad and more than twice the length of the propodus, inner surface setose, propodus tapering distally, dactylus small and straight. Pereiopods 3 and 4 sparsely setose, basis large, merus larger than the carpus, propodus very elongate and slender, dactylus spine-like. Pereiopod 5 basis broad proximally, posterior margin with plumose setae, propodus spinose; pereiopods 6 and 7 elongate, basis only weakly expanded, posterior margin with plumose setae, propodus spinose, dactylus with the apex distinctly bifid. Uropods 1 and 2 rami robust, each with a double row of short robust spines; uropod 3 rami also short and stout with 2 or 3 marginal spines and a few long apical setae. Telson broad, distolateral angles cusped.

Size:
Up to about 8 mm.

Colour:
Yellowish orange, sometimes violet.

Habitat:
Depth range from 10 to 180 metres, often on coarse sediments or gravel.

Distribution:
North-East Atlantic, North Sea; from southern Norway to the Gulf of Gasgony.

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