Major Group: Crustacea
Minor Group: Malacostraca
Order: Isopoda
Family: Phreatoicidae |
Descriptive Features: head with well-developed cervical groove
pleonites much deeper than pereonites in lateral view, with large pleurae, basal region of pleopods not visible, pleonite 1 pleura distinctly shallower than pleurae of pleonites 2-5
right mandible without distinct lacinia mobilis
mandibular spine rows on linear pedunculate projection between incisor and molar
pereopods with articular plate on posterior side of propodus
pleopodal protopods 3-5 only with lateral epipods
uropodal protopod with distoventral robust denticulate seta
Total length: |
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Taxonomic Checklist: Genera
Colacanthotelson rugosus Nicholls
Colubotelson 16 species (+2 undescribed)
Crenoicus 4 species (+1 undescribed)
Gariwerdeus 3 species
Naiopegia xiphagrostis Wilson & Keable
Mesacanthotelson 5 species
Metaphreatoicus 4 species
Onchotelson 2 species
Paraphreatoicus relictus Nicholls
Uramphisopus pearsoni Nicholls |
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Distribution: NSW, Vic, Tas
Sensitivity Rating: SIGNAL grade 4
Functional Feeding Group: shredders |
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South Esk River, Cataract Gorge Tas |
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Ecology: Phreatoicidae belongs to the suborder Phreatoicidea.
Instream habitat: Phreatoicideans occur in streams, burrow in moist soil, in yabby burrows, ground water and underground streams. Phreatoicidae species live in freshwater streams and lakes.
Feeding ecology:
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: Poore 2002, Wilson 2003 & 2005, Cummins et al. 2005
Key to Genera: Wilson & Keable 2000 (partial)
Key to Species: Wilson & Keable 2000 (Colubotelson, Metaphreatoicus, partial) |
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