Major Group: Crustacea
Minor group: Malacostraca
Order: Isopoda
Family: Amphisopidae (including former Mesamphisopidae) |
Descriptive Features: head short
eyes large, prominent
both mandibles with lacinia mobilis
body robust, sub-cylindrical
coxae fused to body
pleotelson posterior margin reflexed, with distinct lateral plates
pereopods with articular plate on propodus
Total length: up to 20 mm
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Phreatomerus latipes |
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Taxonomic Checklist: Species
Amphisopus 2 species
Eophreatoicus kershawi Nicholls (+2 undescribed)
Eremisopus beei Wilson & Keable
Paramphisopus 3 species
Peludo paraliotus Wilson & Keable
Phreatomerus latipes Chilton
Platypyga subpetrae Wilson & Keable
Synamphisopus 2 species |
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Distribution: WA, SA, NT
Sensitivity Rating: SIGNAL grade 1, SIGNAL grade 3 (former Mesamphisopidae)
Functional Feeding Group: shredders, gathering collectors |
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Torrens River, Adelaide SA |
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Ecology: Amphisopidae belongs to the suborder Phreatoicidea.
Instream habitat: Phreatoicideans occur in streams, burrows in moist soil, in yabby burrows, ground water and underground streams. Amphisopidae species are inhabitants of permanent freshwater lakes, streams, springs and seeps. They are found crawling amongst detritus and sediments of mound springs. Phreatomerus latipes lives along the margins of hot, saline springs in South Australia.
Feeding ecology: Amphisopid water slaters are omnivores.
Habit: Many phreatoicidean species are curled under at the end. This spiny posterior is used to push them through the cryptic habitats they favour. The ‘head to toe’ curl is typically a resting or defensive position.
Life history: |
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Information Sources: Hawking & Smith 1997, Poore 2002, Wilson 2003 & 2005, Wilson & Keable 2002, ABRS 2013
Key to Genera: Wilson & Keable 2000 (partial), 2002 (WA)
Key to Species: none |
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