Parametaphoxus fultoni

(Scott, 1890)

Description:
Coxal plate 1 only slightly expanded distally. Epimeral plate 3 rounded. Rostral hood elongate, anterior margin narrowly rounded; eyes distinct, larger in male than female. Antenna 1 short, peduncle article 1 robust, about equal to articles 2 and 3 combined, in male with fine setae on anterior margin; flagellum 4 or 5-articulate, in male very slender, with calceoli and long terminal setae; accessory flagellum 3-articulate. Female antenna 2 peduncle very robust, setose, flagellum very short, 3-articulate; male antenna 2 peduncle article 4 with fine setae on anterior margin, flagellum filiform, as long as body, with calceoli. Gnathopod 1 weakly chelate, merus rounded distally, carpus long and slender, propodus narrowly rectangular with anterior margin shorter than posterior margin, palm weakly convex. Gnathopod 2 larger than 1, merus acute distally, carpus less elongate, propodus broader than in 1, palm convex, transverse. Pereiopods 3 and 4 carpus and propodus with large distal spine on posterior margin. Pereiopod 6 elongate, basis broad with anterior margin strongly setose; merus, carpus and propodus sparsely spinulose. Pereiopod 7 basis extremely expansive, posterior margin feebly serrate; in male carpus with curved spines on anterior margin. Female uropod 3 inner ramus about half length of article 1 of outer ramus; male uropod 3 inner ramus almost equal to length of article 1 of outer ramus, inner margin with few long plumose setae. Telson elongate, deeply cleft, each lobe with 2 or 3 small apical spines.

Size:
Up to 3 mm.

Colour:
Greenish with a violet tinge on the pereion.

Habitat:
Depth range usually from 0 to 50 metres, occasionally much deeper.

Distribution:
Mediterranean; Atlantic coast of Europe; Ireland, English Channel.

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