71 



29. Pseudocyclopia stephoides, Thompson. 



(PL XLVII & XLVIII). 



Pseudocyclopia stephoides, J. C. Thompson. Proc. Liverp. Biol. Soc., Vol. 9, p. 96, PL 6, 



figs. 1, 2. PL 7, figs. 81-4. 



Specific Characters. Female. Anterior division of body, seen dorsally, 

 of nearly uniform width throughout, and oblong oval in form, anterior extremity 

 obtusely rounded, posterior scarcely at all contracted ; seen laterally, considerably 

 vaulted above, dorsal margin forming in front a perfectly even curve as far as the 

 rostrum ; the latter somewhat flattened and acutely triangular in form. Lateral 

 parts of last segment of metasome forming short rounded lobes. Urosome com- 

 paratively robust, about equalling in length l /* of the anterior division, and without 

 any dorsal processes (present in P. minor), genital segment about the length of 

 the 2 succeeding segments combined. Caudal rami only slightly longer than they 

 are broad, and obliquely rounded at the tip, apical setae of moderate length. 

 Anterior antennae not attaining even half the length of the anterior division of 

 body, and composed of 20 articulations, the 1st of which is very large, though 

 not attaining half the length of the remaining part of the antennae. Posterior 

 antennae with the inner ramus remarkably produced, being about twice as long 

 as the outer. Last pair of legs with each of the first 2 joints exhibiting a small 

 dentiform projection inside, 2nd joint not conspicuously dilated, terminal one 

 produced at the tip to a slender, straight spine, and carrying outside, attached 

 to separate ledges, 2 similar, though somewhat smaller spines. 



Male resembling the female both in size and general form, though having 

 the urosome, as usual, more slender. Last pair of legs very asymmetrical, right 

 leg exceedingly slender, with the terminal joint occupying more than half its length 

 and having the distal part straight and band-like; left leg with the basal part 

 tumefied to an extraordinary degree, penultimate one carrying outside, at some 

 distance from the base, a small seta, distal part slightly expanded and having 

 on each side an acute lappet, terminal joint small and somewhat spoon-shaped. 



Colour. Body in both sexes pellucid, with a faint yellowish tinge. 



Length of adult female 1.20 mm., of male about the same. 



Remarks. This is the largest of the 4 hitherto known species, and 

 moreover easily recognized by the 20-articulate anterior antennae, the greatly 

 produced inner ramus of the posterior ones, and the structure of the last pair of 

 legs in both sexes. In its external appearance it bears a very close resemblance 

 to P. crassicornis, Scott, which, however, has the anterior antennae still shorter 

 and composed of only 16 articulations. 



