The Valvifera are marine isopod crustaceans. Valviferans are distinguished, however, by the flat, valve-like uropods which hinge laterally and fold inward beneath the rear part of their bodies, covering the pleopods. Some species are omnivorous, and serve as effective scavengers in the economy of the sea.
Sphaeromatidae is a family of isopods, often encountered on rocky shores and in shelf waters in temperate zones. The family includes almost 100 genera and 619 known marine species. Within these genera, there are groups that share distinctive morphologies; further research may reclassify these genus-groups as separate families.
Curassanthura is a genus of isopod crustaceans in the family Leptanthuridae. It contains the following species:
Anthuroidea is a superfamily of isopod crustaceans, formerly treated as a suborder, Anthuridea. The group is characterised by "an elongate cylindrical body form, without dorsal coxal plates, and with a uropodal exopod attached to the peduncle proximally and dorsally". There are more than 500 described species in 57 genera, arranged across six families:
Iais is a genus of isopod crustaceans. Iais species are found in association with larger isopods of the family Sphaeromatidae, usually on the ventral surface of the larger animal, between the pereiopods and on the pleopods. They are native to Australasia and South America, although Iais californica and its host Sphaeroma quoyanum have invaded California, and I. californica was first described from Sausalito, California. Nine species are recognised:
The Idoteidae are a family of isopod crustaceans. It includes these genera:
Eurydice is a genus of isopod crustaceans named after the mythical Eurydice, wife of the musician Orpheus. It includes the following species:
The Cirolanidae are a family of isopod crustaceans, including these genera:
Paracerceis is a genus of isopod crustacean in the family Sphaeromatidae. It contains the following species:
Cymothoida is the name of a suborder of isopod crustaceans with a mostly carnivorous or parasitic lifestyle. It contains more than 2,700 described species in four superfamilies. Members of the suborder are characterised by their specialised mouthparts which include a mandible with a tooth-like process which is adapted for cutting or slicing.
Sphaeromatidea is a suborder of isopod crustaceans.
Gnathia is a genus of isopod crustaceans, containing the following species:
The Chaetiliidae are a family of isopod crustaceans in the suborder Valvifera, comprising these genera:
Serolidae is a family of isopod crustaceans, containing the following genera :
The Arcturidae are a family of marine isopod crustaceans in the suborder Valvifera. Members of the family resemble woodlice and are found globally in cooler areas in shallow seas.
Uromunna sheltoni is a species of isopod first described by Brian Kensley in 1977. U. sheltoni is included in the genus Uromunna and family Munnidae. No subspecies are listed. The species was first collected by Peter Shelton of the University of Cape Town, for whom it is named.
Cirolana is a genus of isopod crustaceans.
Antarcturidae is a family of marine isopods belonging to the suborder Valvifera.
Holidoteidae is a family of marine isopods belonging to the suborder Valvifera.
Leptanthura is a genus of isopod crustaceans in the family Leptanthuridae. It was first described in 1897 by Georg Ossian Sars and the type species is Paranthura tenuis. It is found in coastal waters throughout the world, and contains the following species:
