(Norman, 1869)
Description:
Pleon segments 4 and 5 with a pair of small membraneous dorsal processes with terminal setule. Coxal plate 1 small, subquadrate or with the distal angle produced and narrowly rounded concealed by plate 2; plates 1 to 5 with few or many plumose marginal setae. Epimeral plate 2 rounded, the distal margin with several long plumose setae, plate 3 distal margin weakly concave with few long plumose setae, posterodistal margin broadly rounded. Eyes small, rounded-oval. Antenna 1 slightly longer than antenna 2, one-third of the body length, flagellum up to about 14-articulate; accessory flagellum small, 2-articulate, occasionally 3-articulate. Antenna 2 peduncle article 5 little shorter than article 4, or about equal, flagellum only about 4-articulate. Gnathopod 1 densely setose, ischium with the posterior margin broadly rounded, propodus little shorter than the carpus, both rectangular, palm short, minutely toothed, transverse, in female palm about straight, in male palm concave, posterior margin of the propodus with one or two large spines, dactylus longer than the palm; gnathopod 1 more robust in male than in female, with the carpus especially large and longer than the propodus. Gnathopod 2 slender, anterior margin of basis with many long plumose setae, propodus half the length of the carpus, anterior margins with plumose setae, dactylus very small, straight. Pereiopods 3 and 4 sparsely setose, merus and propodus about equal in length, carpus a little shorter, dactylus equal to the propodus. Pereiopods 5 to 7 basis oval with only a few short marginal setae; pereiopod 7 with a few plumose setae; pereiopods 5 to 7 merus and carpus about equal in length, propodus slightly longer; pereiopod 7 propodus spinose with several very long apical setae. Uropods 1 and 2 peduncle with an elongate distal spine-like process; uropods 1 and 2 spinose, uropod 1 spines long and slender, uropod 2 spines short and stout. Uropod 3 rami about equal, spinose, outer ramus with a few long setae. Telson short, distolateral angles strongly elevated.
Size:
Up to about 6 mm.
Colour:
Bright yellow with brown patches and black speckles, or brownish bands.
Habitat:
Depth range from 10 to 200 metres; usually on coarse sand or gravel. Locally quite common.
Distribution:
Atlantic coast of Europe and North Africa, from Shetland to Senegal; also Mediterranean.