(Norman, 1868)
Description:
Urosome segment 3 robust, truncated posteriorly. Coxal plates 1 to 4 slender, tapering slightly, distal margins rounded; plate 5 large with a deep posterior lobe. Head with the lateral lobes broadly rounded; eyes moderately large in female, very large in male, rounded, visual elements distinct. Antenna 1 and 2 in female very short, about equal, antenna 1 peduncle robust, flagellum about 6 articulate; antenna 2 peduncle article 4 much longer than 5, flagellum very small, only 3 or 4-articulate Antenna 1 in male with peduncle article 1 very robust, flagellum equal to length of peduncle, up to about 9-articulate; antenna 2 much longer than 1, peduncle article 4 large, article 5 much more slender, both with anterior margins finely setulose, flagellum up to about 18-articulate. Gnathopod 1 basis slender, curved proximally, carpus spinose, propodus rectangular, palm short and almost transverse, delimited by 2 or 3 spines. Gnathopod 2 elongate, more slender than 1, carpus spinose, propodus rectangular, palm short, transverse, delimited by 2 or 3 spines. Pereiopods 3 and 4 carpus much shorter than merus with posteromarginal spines. Pereiopod 5 almost devoid of spines and setae, basis very broad, merus robust, campus and propodus slender. Pereiopod 7 basis with extremely large posterior lobe, merus and carpus broad and flattened with many long plumose setae, propodus slender. Uropods 1 and 2 small, spinose, rami shorter than peduncle, each with long apical spine, inner ramus slightly shorter than outer; uropod 3 rami about equal, in female with few marginal spines, in male with spines and long plumose setae. Telson triangular, deeply cleft.
Size:
Up to 2 mm.
Colour:
Yellowish or whitish, speckled with red and green.
Habitat:
Depth range between 0 to 35 metres; usually found subtidally on gravel or coarse sandy sediments; may live interstitially.
Distribution:
North Sea and Atlantic coast of Europe to western Mediterranean; west coast of North Africa.