234 



Fam. 13. Laophontidae. 



Characters. Body somewhat varying in shape, but having always the seg- 

 ments very sharply marked off from each other, with conspicuous constrictions 

 between them, their hind edge more or less raised and generally fringed with 

 small spinules. Genital segment in female distinctly subdivided. Anterior antennae 

 with the number of articulations more or less reduced, those in male strongly 

 hinged, with the last joint of the proximal part greatly swollen. Posterior antennae 

 with the outer ramus generally small and uniarticulate, in some cases obsolete. 

 Oral parts on the whole normal. 1st pair of legs with the rami very unequal, 

 the outer one of insignificant size, the inner one powerfully developed and dis- 

 tinctly prehensile, biarticulate, clawed at the tip. Natatory legs generally poorly 

 developed, with the inner ramus much smaller than the outer and only consisting 

 of 2 joints; inner ramus of 3rd pair in male transformed. Last pair of legs of 

 varying structure in the different genera. Ovisac in the great majority of 

 cases single. 



Remarks. This family has recently been established by Th. Scott, to 

 comprise the well-known genus Laophonte and some nearly related genera. As to 

 the outer appearance, the forms belonging to this family may be easily recognized 

 by the very sharp demarcation of the segments, whereby the body assumes a 

 more or less scalariform appearance. Of the anatomical details the most obvious 

 character is found in the structure of the 1st pair of legs, the inner ramus of 

 which in most cases is very powerfully developed, though only consisting of 2 

 joints, whereas the outer ramus is of quite insignificant size. All the forms be- 

 longing to the present family are strictly marine, though some of the species of 

 Laophonte may be occasionally found in more or less brackish water. 



Gen. 52. Laophonte, Philippi, 1840. 



Syn: Cleta, Claus. 



Generic Characters. Body more or less slender, scalariform, with no sharp 

 demarcation between the anterior and posterior divisions. Cephalic segment of 

 moderate size, and projecting in front in a lamellar rostral prominence not dis- 

 tinctly defined behind. Segments of urosome, except the last, more or less lamel- 

 larly expanded laterally. Caudal rami of varying shape in the different species. 



