Timms: A revision of Limnadopsis clam shrimps 
55 
continuous with the growth lines, and which increase in size 
posteriorly till the last one (usually) protrudes beyond the 
posterodorsal corner. In many populations and individuals, 
however, these outgrowths are irregular and in some cases 
absent altogether. Similar carinae exist in L. tatei, but it is 
distinctive of L. birchii that invariably the protrusion of each 
carinae beyond the hinge line begins well forward in the 
previous growth area, almost back to the second preceding 
growth line. Generally there are about 12-13 growth lines, 
with a range of 11-15 mentioned by Spencer & Hall (1896), 
and 10-17 in the present material examined. Enormous 
carapace sizes of up to 27 mm long and 20 mm high were 
mentioned by Spencer & Hall (1896); slightly larger ones 
(to 29 mm) were observed in the present material and also 
relatively small ones of 18 mm (apparently adults). The 
length:depth (L:D) ratio is usually c. 1.5. Often females 
are slightly bigger than males, but otherwise both sexes are 
similarly shaped. 
Spencer & Hall’s (1896) description of the head and 
rostrum (Fig. 3B) is a little different from that observed in 
the present material. While in males, the rostrum is at right 
angles to, and anterior of the ocular tubercle, there is no sharp 
angle in the cephalic profile between them, as in most other 
species of Limnadopsis, but an even curvature. The rostrum 
is generally about equal in length and basal width, and its 
apex is rounded and slightly curved ventrally. In females the 
rostrum (Fig. 3G) is shaped like an isosceles triangle with 
its short axis at right angles to the head. The ocular tubercle 
is typically longer than wide, a shape not observed in other 
species of Limnadopsis. 
The first antenna was well characterized by Spencer & 
Hall (1896). In males it is longer than the peduncle of the 
second antenna, and in females equally as long as the latter. 
Spencer & Hall (1896) mentioned 16 lobules in males, but the 
mean in the present material is 12 (Fig. 3D), with a range of 
10-15. The second antennae are essentially as described by 
Spencer & Hall (1896), with a peduncle of 11 segments (12 
in most of the present material), and 2 flagellae of about 18 
flagellomeres each. Most noticeable in the present material 
is the large number (ca 12) of dorsal spines on most of these 
flagellomeres (Fig. 3E), compared to fewer than 10 in other 
species of Limnadopsis. 
All specimens have 32 pairs of thoracopods, 6-8 more 
than in other species of Limnadopsis. The dorsoposte- 
rior armature on the most posterior thoracic segments, not 
recorded by Spencer & Hall (1896), is variable but generally 
consists of 3-5 spines each on the last 7-9 segments, these 
being preceded by 2-3 segments with both a few spines and a 
few setae, then another 7-10 segments with setae, the number 
of which decreases anteriorly in number from about 10 per 
segment in females, and about 5 in males, to single one. The 
claspers of the male (Fig. 3F) are of standard spinicaudatan 
structure (Fryer, 1987), with almost no macroscopic variation 
between populations. The asymmetrical protrusion on the 
anterior surface of the hand is relatively small and on the 
hand’s proximal half. The spine on the apex of the movable 
finger may be single and stout, or multiple (2-4) and thin; 
the palp of the movable finger in the second clasper is longer 
than usual, being at least 1.75 to 2 times the length of the 
hand. Concerning the telson (Fig. 3C), Spencer & Hall (1896) 
mentioned that there are about 50 dorsal spines (= denticles) 
in each row (cf. their fig. 19), and a pair of telsonic filaments 
at about one quarter of its length. They described the dorsal 
surface curved to form a shallow S-bend, and a curved, 
movable caudal claw bearing a “large number of plumose 
setae” proximally with the distal part the dorsal edge finely 
setose. In the present material the mean number of dorsal 
telson spines in each row is indeed about 50 (range 48-55), 
but rarely do they increase in size posteriorly as Spencer 
& Hall (1896) claimed. This number is more than twice 
that of other species of Limnadopsis ; furthermore the most 
anterior spine is little bigger than the next few, as opposed to 
the situation in most other species of Limnadopsis in which 
it is at least 1.5 times larger. The shallow S-bend (convex 
anteriorly, concave posteriorly) of the dorsal surface of the 
telson is present in most specimens examined, but in some 
the dorsal surface is almost straight. The caudal claw is 
evenly curved, i.e. the proximal portion is not straight as in 
most other species of Limnadopsis. It bears about 10-12 long 
setae (longer than width of the claw), followed in sequence 
by about 12-15 spines on the middle section of the caudal 
claw, and then the fine denticles of Spencer & Hall (1896) 
on the distal quarter. The most distal of the spines is almost 
always the largest and thickest. 
Limnadopsis tatei Spencer & Hall, 1896 
Figs. 2B, 4B, 5D,E, 6, 7 
Limnadopsis tatei Spencer & Hall, 1896: 241, figs. 20-27; 
Sayce, 1903: 250; Wolf, 1911: 254 (list); Dakin, 1914: 
295 (list); Henry, 1924: 122 (list), 132 (key); Richter & 
Timms, 2005: 349. 
Limnadiopsis tatei .— Daday, 1925: 181-183, fig. 123 (mis¬ 
spelling of the genus name). 
Limnadiopsium tatei .— Novojilov, 1958: 104, fig. 12;Brtek, 
1997: 58 (list). 
Types. Originally no types designated. Now a neotype (d) 
has been chosen (NMV J54053). 
Comments on types. The neotype is thought to be from 
Professor Spencer’s original collection from Central 
Australia. Certainly its characteristics agree with the limited 
original description.The exact location of the type locality is 
unknown and even the date is not in museum records, but it 
is believed to be 1896. Given that this species is widespread 
and variable (see later), it is helpful to have a neotype taken 
from the type locality, illdefined as it is. 
Material. New South Wales: 9<3, 16$, NW of Bourke, 
Bloodwood Station, Shining Box Pool, 29°27'S 144°50'E, 
24.V.2000, B.V. Timms, AM P76803; 6 specimens, 140 km 
NW of Bourke, Tredega Station, Johnsons Tank, 29°30'S 
144°54'E, 26.i. 1995, B.Y. Timms, AM P47127. Queensland: 
3 S , 1 $, E of Thargomindah, Bindegolly National Park, Fake 
Hutchinson, l.ii.2006; 27°55'S 144°13’E, M. Handley; QM 
W28369; 1 S , E of Thargomindah, Bindegolly National Park, 
FakeToomaroo, 174.2007; 27°59’S 144°12’E, M. Handley; 
QM W28370; 1 S , E of Thargomindah, Bindegolly National 
Park, Fake Bindegolly, 9.ii.2007; 28°04'S 144°12’E, M. 
Handley; QM W28371; 18 individuals, SW of Cunnamulla, 
Rockwell Station, grassy pool S of North Blue Fake, 
28°51’S 144°58'E, 9.vi.2007, B.V. Timms, QM W28372; 
69 individuals, near Hungerford, Currawinya National Park, 
the Yapunyah Swamp, 25°30'S 144°18'E, 18.V.1996, B.V. 
Timms, AM P47948; 5$, near Hungerford, Currawinya 
