lligli aud low Dimorpliism. 333 



Appendix 1. The Taiiaidae of tlie Bay of Naples. 



With descriptions of new species. 

 Leptochelia (PL 20, FigB. 1 — 17). 



L. dubia = L. dubia (Kröyerj = Algicola (Harg-er & Dollfus) 

 + Savignyi (Kröyer & Sars) + neapolitana (Sars). 



Remavks. Since the species lias received mauy uames and bas 

 often been described and figured it is only necessary for me to give 

 my reasons for believing tbat all the foims described under the 

 various names given above are really only one species. 



The female of this species was first described as Tanais Sarig/t//i 

 by Kröyer from Brazil (Nat. Tidskr. 4. Bd. p. 168 Tab. 2 Figs. 1 — 

 12) and the male as T. Edivardsü, but Dana had previously (1840, 

 U. S. Expl. Exped. Crust. Vol. 2) suggested the generic unme 

 Leptochelia for L. minuta, an allied form. Kröyer also described 

 what he considered another species as T. dubius from a single 

 Brazilian specimen (loc. cit.), but this from bis figure was evidently 

 au immature specimen, because it had ouly 5 joints in the 

 endopod of the uropod. It may therefor be ignored. Subsequently 

 Bäte & Westwood (British Sessile-eyed Crustacea) described 

 L. Savignyi as L. Edu:ardsii\ Harger (Report on Marine Isopoda 

 of New-England) has described it as Algicola, and fiually Sars in 

 bis work (Middelhavets Saxisopoda) niade three species out of it, 

 L. Savignyi, dubia and neapolitana. Professor Sars, courteously 

 replying to my eniiuiries, admits that the examination of a larger 

 material than was at bis disposai may break down the distinction 

 between bis three forms. After examining several thousand female 

 specimens and about 80 males my conclusion is that these three 

 forms constitute one species which in future should be known as 

 L. dubia. 



The form described by Sars as L. Savignyi Q (our Fig. 10 is 

 in reality an immature male of L. dubia, which passes through this 

 stout form with 4-joiuted antennae and rather powerful chelae be- 

 fore assuming the adult male state. Although females do occur 

 (Fig. 13) occasionally with 4 joints in the antenna, these females do 

 uot bave the stout body and chela characteristic of the Savignyi 

 form. The typical Savignyi form, if examined by sections, are fuund 

 to possess testes, and never ovaries, while it is possible, fairly 



