Sphaeromatidae | |
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Gnorimosphaeroma oregonensis | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Class: | Malacostraca |
Superorder: | Peracarida |
Order: | Isopoda |
Suborder: | Sphaeromatidea |
Superfamily: | Sphaeromatoidea |
Family: | Sphaeromatidae Latreille, 1825 |
Genera | |
See text |
Sphaeromatidae (marine pillbug family) is a family of isopods, often encountered on rocky shores and in shelf waters in temperate zones. [1] The family includes almost 100 genera and 619 known marine species (and about 65 in fresh water). Within these genera, there are groups that share distinctive morphologies; further research may reclassify these genus-groups as separate families. [2]
Many species have a dorsoventrally compressed body shape, often with a vaulted dorsum, and some are strongly flattened (scale-like). [2]
Sphaeromatidae are browsers or detritus feeders. Xynosphaera appear to have incisory mandibles; [2] Xynosphaera colemani burrows into the tissue of alcyonacean corals. [3] Some genera of Sphaeromatidae associate with sponges, particularly Oxinasphaera. [4]
The family contains the following genera: [5]
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:
Idotea is a genus of isopod crustaceans, mostly from cold temperate waters. The taxonomy of the genus is still in doubt, and many of the currently recognised species may be taxonomic synonyms, and others may be moved to different genera.
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:
The Leptanthuridae are a family of isopod crustaceans, containing the following genera:
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 Bopyridae are a family of isopod crustaceans in the suborder Cymothoida. There are 1223 individual species contained in this family. Members of the family are ectoparasites of crabs and shrimp. They live in the gill cavities or under the carapace where they cause a noticeable swelling. Fossil crustaceans have occasionally been observed to have a similar characteristic bulge.
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.
Dynoides is a genus of isopod crustaceans in the family Sphaeromatidae, containing the following species:
Cirolana is a genus of isopod crustaceans.
Exosphaeroma is a genus of marine isopod of the family Sphaeromatidae. This genus is found in shallow ocean waters worldwide. It is notable for being one of the few genera of sphaeromatid to be found in the southern reaches of the Southern Ocean. The greatest diversity of Exosphaeroma occurs in the Southern Hemisphere.
Aega is a genus of isopods in the family Aegidae, containing the following species:
Antarcturidae is a family of marine isopods belonging to the suborder Valvifera.
Rocinela is a genus of isopods in the family Aegidae, and was first described in 1818 by William Elford Leach. The type species is Rocinela danmoniensis Leach, 1818.
Natatolana is a genus of crustaceans in the family Cirolanidae, first described by Niel L. Bruce in 1981. The type species is Cirolana hirtipes Milne Edwards, 1840.