Major Group: Crustacea
Minor Group: Malacostraca
Order: Isopoda
Family: Phreatoicopsidae
Genus: Phreatoicopsis
This family is represented in Australia by a single genus, Phreatoicopsis Spencer & Hall. |
Descriptive Features: head length shorter than width in dorsal view, without cervical groove, with mandibular (genal) indentation, mandibular notch absent, with small ridge at posteroventral corner
eyes tiny and round
pereopod 1 propodus with 1 median spine, pereopod 1 dactylus with spine-like projection midlength
pereopods without articular plate on propodus, pereopod 5-7 coxae fused to body
both mandibles with lacinia mobilis
pleopodal rami lanceolate, subequal, protopods without coupling hooks, pleopods 3-5 with epipods
appendix masculina length subequal to endopod, distally rounded, slightly curved
gut with coiled typhlosole, hind gut caecae absent
Total length: |
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Phreatoicopsis sp. |
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Taxonomic Checklist: Species
Phreatoicopsis terricola Spencer & Hall
Phreatoicopsis raffae Wilson & Keable |
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Distribution: Vic
Sensitivity Rating: SIGNAL grade 2
Functional Feeding Group: shredders |
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Campaspe River, The Rocks Vic |
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Ecology: Phreatoicopsidae belongs to the suborder Phreatoicidea.
Instream habitat: Phreatoicideans occur in streams, burrow in moist soil, in yabby burrows, ground water and underground streams. Phreatoicopsis are semi-aquatic burrowers.
Feeding ecology: Phreatoicopsis are detritivores.
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
Key to Species: Wilson & Keable 2002 |
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