246 MICROCERBERIDEA • ONISCIDEA 



Yvesia Coineau and Botosaneanu, 1973 



Yvesia striata Coineau and Botosaneanu, 1973 

 Figure 105F-H 



DIAGNOSIS 9 1.6 mm. Antenna! peduncular articles 2 and 3 smooth, lack- 

 ing spinous processes. Maxillipedal palp articles 2 and 3 enlarged. Bases of 

 pereopods unarmed, lacking spinous processes. Propodus of pereopod 1 with 

 single smooth proximal spine. Body having longitudinal ventrolateral striae. 



RECORDS Oriente, Cuba, interstitial on beach. 



Suborder Oniscidea Latreille, 1803 



DIAGNOSIS Compound eyes usually present. Antennules usually very short. 

 Antennae with 4- or 5-articulate peduncle; flagellum varying from few arti- 

 cles to multiarticulate. Mandibular palp present. Distal articles of maxillipe- 

 dal palp often reduced. Coxae of pereonites 1—7 usually distinct, expanded. 

 Pleopods respiratory, often with pseudotrachea; 6 with pleopod 2, and 

 sometimes pleopod 1 as well, modified for copulation. Uropods terminal or 

 subterminal with terete rami, or ventral and opercular, with reduced rami. 



REMARKS The Oniscidea includes all the isopods that have successfully in- 

 vaded the terrestrial environment. While still in some degree reliant on exter- 

 nal moisture, their morphological and behavioral adaptations have allowed 

 them to live in almost all terrestrial habitats, from hot, dry deserts, through 

 tropical rainforests and grasslands, to cold-temperate niches. Several forms 

 have successfully inveigled themselves into termite or ant colonies, where 

 with varying degrees of morphological adaptations they take advantage of 

 the security of these habitats. A small number of species have evolved to live 

 in more constantly wet habitats. Several species may be found in the marine 

 intertidal, either living in and under piles of decomposing litter along the 

 high-tide line, digging into beach sand, or sheltering in the damp cracks and 

 crevices of rocky shores. A few may also be found in mangrove swamps. 

 A breakdown of families, genera, and species is not provided for this sub- 

 order, but those few species that are commonly encountered in intertidal 

 habitats are dealt with individually. Schultz (1974, 1984) records several 

 oniscidean isopods from the Caribbean area. 



