NO. 9 MARINE INVERTEBRATES, ALASKA — MacGINITIE 163 



Although only two specimens of Melita formosa Murdoch came 

 in with dredge hauls, countless numbers washed ashore (see "Records 

 of Surf Conditions and Shore Collecting"). This species is dull orchid 

 in color. In seven ovigerous females the number of eggs ranged be- 

 tween 44 and 81, but the majority were carrying 54, averaging 0.7 

 mm. in diameter. 



In contrast to the above species, only one specimen of Melita 

 dentata (Kroyer) was picked up on shore, but from i to 16 or more 

 individuals appeared in all dredge hauls from 80 to 453 feet. This 

 species, which is new to Alaska and the western Arctic, is also dull 

 orchid, with blackish-brown eyes. No ovigerous females were found. 



Never especially abundant, Maera danae (Stimpson) was present 

 in dredge hauls from 80 to 477 feet. It has dark eyes and a pale 

 yellowish-red or pale-orchid body and appendages. The eggs, which 

 measure about 0.8 mm. in diameter, are clear with yellow spots. The 

 entire egg turns yellow in preservative. 



Two specimens, a male 33 mm. long and a female 32 mm. long, of 

 Gammarus locustus (Linnaeus) var. setosus Dementieva appeared in 

 a dredge haul from 120 feet (September 15, 1948), but all the other 

 specimens came from Eluitkak Pass or from shallow water along 

 shore. It is no doubt abundant in favorable localities in Elson Lagoon. 

 Males up to 51 mm. and females up to 32 mm. were taken. This 

 species is somewhat variable in color but is predominantly grayish. 

 Young or freshly molted specimens may be almost translucent white. 

 The tips of the thoracic appendages, the antennular flagellae, and the 

 third joint of the antennal peduncle are reddish brown. The small, 

 bean-shaped eyes are black. This species, which is new to the western 

 Arctic, is a hardy form that can tolerate adverse conditions and con- 

 siderable dilution with fresh water. 



Gammar acanthus loricatus (Sabine) was taken at Eluitkak Pass, 

 in 5 feet of water at Elson Lagoon, and alongshore in from 10 to 

 20 feet of water. The largest male measured 45 mm. in length, the 

 largest female 53 mm. Two small bivalves and an ostracod were at- 

 tached to one 40-mm. female from Eluitkak Pass (August i, 1950). 

 This amphipod is gray and white or tan and white above, with the 

 color so arranged that it forms longitudinal lines down the back. The 

 appendages are white with tinges of gray or tan, and the basal half of 

 the distal segment of the three long legs is a deep maroon. The 

 antennules are banded with tan or maroon. The eyes are a shining, 

 pinkish salmon. This is also a hardy species that is tolerant of ad- 

 verse conditions and great changes in salinity. 



About 40 specimens of Photis reinhardi Kroyer were taken at 



