251 



the uropods are smooth except for the faintly denticulate distal part of 

 the outer margin of pairs I-II. The rami of uropods I are denticulate on 

 both margins. The denticulation in uropods II is much finer on the inner 

 margin of the rami than on the outer. The rami of uropods III are shorter 

 than the basipodite, identical in length and structure in both sexes, and 

 constricted towards the end; a characteristic apical seta is located in a 

 notch on the endopodite of the male. 



Notes: This species closely resembles V. viatrix as well as 

 V. antarctica. It is distinguished from the first species by long antennae I, 

 short process on the 5th segment of pereopods II, much weaker 

 development of pereopods III-IV. with elongated segments and short 

 claws, and highly stretched margins of the 2nd segment of pereopods VII. 

 It differs from the second species in smaller size, length of antennae II*, 

 straight posterior margin of the 6th segment of pereopods I, short process 

 of the 5 th segment of pereopods II, proportions of pereopods III (much 

 shorter 5th segment), proportions and ornamentation of pereopods V-VI, 

 long and narrow 2nd segment of pereopods VII with more stretched distal 

 angles, and finally, in the absence of any distinct sexual dimorphism 

 in the structure of the uropods. The similarity between V. stebbingi 

 and V. antarctica and inadequacy of the existing keys for identification 

 (Behning, 1912) have led to some confusion in identifying them. For 

 example, Hurley (1955) described a specimen from New Zealand as 

 V. stebbingi, which should have been related to V. antarctica, as is clear 

 from the drawings and description given by the author. Ornamentation 

 of the lower margin of epimeron III (as per key of Behning) cannot 

 be considered a satisfactory character for the separation of the species 

 antarctica and stebbingi because this is a variable trait. Apparently, the 

 difficulty in differentiating these species has arisen because V. stebbingi 

 ha i "penetrated" into antarctic waters. We did not find this species south 

 of the Subtropical Convergence. 



Distribution: Tropical and subtropical waters of the three oceans 

 as well as in the Mediterranean Sea. Catches everywhere are small in 

 number. 



4. Vibilia antarctica Stebbing, 1888 (Fig. 104) 



Stebbing, 1888: 1290; Behning, 1913: 530; 1925: 486; 1927: 

 U^.— Vibilia sp. (II) Stebbing, 1888: 1293.— stebbingi? (non Behning, 

 1912): Hurley, 1955: 125. 



Body length up to 14 mm. 



The head is roundish-rectangular (lateral view) and slightly projects 



above the base of antennae I (frontal view); its height is barely more than 



209 its length, which in females is equal to the length of the first two somites 



* Changed from Russian original by author — ^Eds. 



