147 

 3. Eurycope phallangium, G. 0. Sars. 



(PI. LXVI.) 



Eurycope phallangium, G. 0. Sars Oni en am>nml Grnppe af Isopoder (Christiania Vid. Selsk. 



Forh. 1863), p. 6. 



Specific Characters. Body broadly oval, not nearly twice as long as it 

 is broad, greatest width in the middle. Cephalon with the frontal part conically 

 produced. Fifth and 6th segments of mesosome continent in the middle, forming 

 together a large vaulted plate, deeply emarginated behind. Caud;il segment com- 

 paratively small, subpentagonal in form, tip obtusely rounded, lateral edges fringed 

 with stiff bristles. Superior antennae not much elongated, flagellum composed of 

 about 10 articulation. Inferior antennae exceedingly slender and elongated, 4 to 5 

 times as long as the body, the 2 outer joints of the peduncle very narrow and but 

 sparsely setiferous, flagellum longer than the peduncle. Molar expansion of the 

 mandibles rather narrow, attenuated distally. Epignath of maxillipeds lanceolate, 

 without any angle outside. 1st pair of legs comparatively short and rather 

 strongly built, propodal joint fully as long as the carpal one, the latter slightly 

 dilated and curved, with a setiferous ridge inside. The 3 succeeding pairs of 

 legs extremely slender and elongated, more than twice as long as the body, and 

 having the ischial joint produced to an unusual degree. Natatory legs with the 

 carpal joint rather large, obcordate, propodal joint much smaller and narrow oblong 

 in form, dactylus very much produced, considerably exceeding the propodal joint in 

 length, and distinctly biarticulate, proximal joint lanceolate, distal one spiniform. 

 Uropoda with the outer ramus a little longer, but much narrower than the inner. 

 Colour of dorsal face light yellowish grey, with a slight reddish tinge. Length of 

 adult female scarcely exceeding 2 mm. 



Remarks. In several respects this species differs rather markedly from 

 the 2 preceding ones, whereas it exhibits a close relationship to some of the suc- 

 ceeding species. It is therefore most probable that it will be found advisable to 

 establish for these species a separate genus. The specific name refers to the ex- 

 cessively elongated inferior antennae and ambulatory legs. 



Occurrence. This species is very common along our whole south and 

 west coasts, and extends northwards to Hasvig in Finmark. It occurs in depths 

 ranging from 50 to 300 fathoms, on a bottom consisting of muddy clay. In 

 spite of its small size and inconspicuous colouring, the animal may be easily 

 detected on placing a portion of the mud taken up by the dredge in a shallow 

 vessel, when, like several other small Crustacea, it will Ho at up to the surface, 

 without being able to immerge itself again. As, however, the several appendages 

 of the body are extremely fragile, it is rather a rare occurrence to get a specimen 

 with all of them uninjured. Though there cannot be any doubt that this form 



