567 



14. Microprotopus maculatus, Norman. 



(PI 201). 



Microprotopus maculatus, Norman. Keport Brit. Aes. 1866, p. 203. 

 Syn : Orthopalme Terschellingi, Hoek. 



Body short and stout, with broadly rounded back, and the metasome 

 and urosome comparatively poorly developed. Cephalon about the length 

 of the first 2 segments of mesosome combined, lateral corners nearly rect- 

 angular, with the lower edge gently curved. Anterior pairs of coxal plates 

 more than twice as, deep as the corresponding segments, and having the 

 distal edge densely setiferous; 1st pair but little smaller than the succeeding 

 ones, and evenly rounded at the tip, 2nd pair in male the largest, 5th pair 

 with the anterior lobe very deep and linguiform. Last pair of epimeral 

 plates of metasome forming at the lateral corners a broadly rounded lobe, 

 slightly crenulated at the edge' Eyes small, rounded, with dark pigment. 

 Superior antennae about equalling in length YS of the body, 1st joint of the 

 peduncle about the length of the 2nd, but considerably thicker, 3rd joint 

 ocarcely more than half as long, flagellum but little longer than the peduncle, 

 and composed of about 8 articulations, accessory appendage shorter than the 

 last peduncular joint, and biarticulate, with the last articulation very small. 

 Inferior antenna? a little shorter than the superior, and somewhat more robust, 

 the last 2 joints of the peduncle about equal-sized, flagellum somewhat 

 longer than the last peduncular joint. Anterior gnathopoda rather small, 

 and of same structure in the 2 sexes, carpus somewhat elongated and but 

 little expanded, propodos about the length of the latter, and oblong oval in 

 form, slightly widening distally, palm shorter than the hind margin, and 

 defined below by an obtuse angle. Posterior gnathopoda in female consider- 

 ably stronger than the anterior, meral and carpal joints expanded below to 

 densely setiferous lobes, the carpal one being rather produced and carrying 

 long ciliated setae, propodos of a shape similar to that in the anterior ones, but 

 considerably larger, with the palm more distinctly defined below; those of 

 male very largely developed, and, when fully extended, about half the length of 

 the body, carpus very short, and produced below to a narrow setiferous pro- 

 jection, propodos of quite an enormous size, and oval quadrangular in form, 

 with the upper edge gently curved, the lower one straight in the middle, and 

 produced at the posterior and anterior corners to a strong dentiform projection, 

 the anterior one being defined in front by an even sinus, dactyl us extremely 



