541 



Fig. 233. Rhabdosoma brevicaudatum Stebbing (Us — after Fage, 1960). 



not differing from the last urosomite. The telson has a rounded tip armed 

 with short setules. 



The gills are usually located only on somites V-VI of the pereon; 

 however, a mature female had five pairs of gills (Fage, 1960). 



Notes: Exceptionally rare records of males served as the basis for 

 the suggestion of possible parthenogenesis in this species (Fage, 1954, 

 1960); however, this suggestion requires further investigation. 



Distribution: Found in subtropical waters of the northern and 

 southwestern parts of the Pacific Ocean, in the Atlantic Ocean from 

 the equator up to 40° N, and in the Mediterranean Sea. It is not reported 

 from the Indian Ocean (where the closely related species R. minor is 

 distributed). Reproduction occurs year round. 



437 4. Rhabdosoma minor Fage, 1954 (Fig. 234) 



Fage, 1954: 661; 1960: 107. 



Length of adult females up to 22.5 mm. Male not known. 



The rostrum is piliform and approximately the same length as in 

 R. brevicaudatum; the central part of the head, occupied by the eyes, is 

 appreciably more bulged than in larger species of the genus, the neck 

 is long. 



Pereopods I-II are small, not strong, but have well-developed chelae. 

 The 2nd segment of pereopods I is shorter than the distal segments 

 together, has a slightly curved anterior margin, a bulged posterior mar- 

 gin, is distally slightly broadened, and its maximum width is equal to 

 half its length; in the 5th segment the maximum width is much more 

 than the length (on the posterior margin), the process is broader at the 



