Exosphaeroma laeviusculum
| Exosphaeroma laeviusculum | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Clade: | Pancrustacea |
| Class: | Malacostraca |
| Order: | Isopoda |
| Family: | Sphaeromatidae |
| Genus: | Exosphaeroma |
| Species: | E. laeviusculum |
| Binomial name | |
| Exosphaeroma laeviusculum | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
|
Sphaeroma laevisculum Heller, 1868 | |
Exosphaeroma laeviusculum is a species of isopod in the family Sphaeromatidae,[2] native to the west coast of southern Africa.
Description
[edit]Exosphaeroma laeviusculum has a flattened body with speckled pattern of black and white, or pink. The pleon consists of a single segment, although the original fused segments are still discernible by lateral grooves. The telson is triangular, bears two small ridges near the base and a semicircle of tiny tubercles. Average body length is 10 mm.[3]
Distribution and habitat
[edit]The species occurs on the west coast of southern Africa, from Lüderitz in Namibia to Cape Point in South Africa.[3][4] It inhabits the intertidal zone or shallow water, where it may be found among weeds or under stones.[3]
For unknown reasons, the original description by Camill Heller reports the type locality as "Java".[1][2]
References
[edit]- 1 2 Camill Heller (1868). "Crustaceen". Reise der Osterreichischen Fregatte Novara um die Erde in den Jahren 1857, 1858, 1859. Zoologischer Theil. Vol. 2. pp. 1–280.
- 1 2 3 Niel Bruce, M. Schotte (2015). "Exosphaeroma laeviusculum". WoRMS. World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved 9 January 2017.
- 1 2 3 Branch, G. M.; Griffiths, C. L.; Branch, M. L.; Beckley, L. E. (2010). Two Oceans: a Guide to the Marine Life of Southern Africa. Cape Town: Struik Nature.
- ↑ Kensley, Brian (1978). Guide to the marine isopods of southern Africa. South Africa Museum. ISBN 0-908407-43-2.
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