Exosphaeroma laeviusculum

Exosphaeroma laeviusculum
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Crustacea
Class: Malacostraca
Order: Isopoda
Family: Sphaeromatidae
Genus: Exosphaeroma
Species: E. laeviusculum
Binomial name
Exosphaeroma laeviusculum
(Heller, 1868)[1]
Synonyms[2]

Sphaeroma laevisculum Heller, 1868

Exosphaeroma laeviusculum is a species of isopod in the family Sphaeromatidae,[2] native to the west coast of southern Africa.

Description

E. laeviusculum has a flattened body with speckled pattern of black and white, or pink. The pleon consists of a single segment, although the original fused segments are still discernible by lateral grooves. The telson is triangular, bears two small ridges near the base and a semicircle of tiny tubercles. Average body length is 10 mm.[3]

Distribution and habitat

The species occurs on the west coast of southern Africa, from Lüderitz in Namibia to Cape Point in South Africa.[3][4] It inhabits the intertidal zone or shallow water, where it may be found among weeds or under stones.[3]

For unknown reasons, the original description by Camill Heller reports the type locality as "Java".[1][2]

References

  1. 1 2 Camill Heller (1868). "Crustaceen". Reise der Osterreichischen Fregatte Novara um die Erde in den Jahren 1857, 1858, 1859. Zoologischer Theil. 2. pp. 1–280.
  2. 1 2 3 Niel Bruce, M. Schotte (2015). "Exosphaeroma laeviusculum". World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved 9 January 2017.
  3. 1 2 3 Branch, G. M.; Griffiths, C. L.; Branch, M. L.; Beckley, L. E. (2010). Two Oceans: a Guide to the Marine Life of Southern Africa. Cape Town: Struik Nature.
  4. ↑ Kensley, Brian (1978). Guide to the marine isopods of southern Africa. South Africa Museum. ISBN 0-908407-43-2.


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