15.06.2013 Views

download pdf

download pdf

download pdf

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.

134<br />

with the carpal joint oblong fusiform in outline, propodal joint oval, somewhat<br />

shorter, but scarcely narrower. Uropoda about half as long as the caudal seg-<br />

ment, distal joint scarcely longer than the proximal one, both being clothed with<br />

scattered bristles. Colour pale reddish brown. Length<br />

of adult male 11 mm.<br />

Remarks. As above stated, this remarkable form was detected by my<br />

late father in the year 1860, and was briefly characterised in the above-mentioned<br />

journal. Subsequently a fuller description, accompanied by figures, was given<br />

in his paper on the fauna of the Christiania Fjord inserted in ,,Nyt Magazin for<br />

Naturvidenskaberne". It is much the largest of the Norwegian Munnopsidce.<br />

Occurrence. The species occurs along the whole Norwegian coast, from<br />

the Christiania Fjord to Vadso, in depths ranging from 60 to 400 fathoms. In<br />

some places I have found it in great abundance, especially in the deeper parts<br />

of the Christiania and Trondhjem Fjords, as also off the Lofoten Islands. I have<br />

several times observed it in a living state, and watched its curious movements.<br />

It swims backwards in long, though not particularly rapid bounds, and during<br />

this movement the long inferior antennae and the 3rd and 4th pairs of legs are<br />

extended straight in front. Immediately on reaching the bottom,<br />

the antennae<br />

and legs are spread out laterally, and the animal now moves slowly about in the<br />

ordinary creeping manner. The appendages are extremely fragile<br />

and liable to<br />

be broken off from the body, for which reason it is rather difficult to get specimens<br />

in quite an uninjured state.<br />

Distribution. Skagerak (Meinert), Greenland (Hansen), Spitsbergen (Buch-<br />

holt/), the Barents Sea (Hoek), Franz Josef Land (Heller), the Kara Sea (Hansen),<br />

Arctic America (Miers), Atlantic coast of North America (Harger).<br />

Gen. 2. Ilyaraehna, G. O. Sars, 1863.<br />

Syn : Mcsostenus, G. O. Sars (olim).<br />

'H- Churacterx. Body rather compact, clavate in form, attenuated<br />

behind, with a very strongly marked median constriction. Cephalon very large<br />

and broad, transversely truncated in front, dorsal face evenly vaulted, lateral<br />

parts greatly expanded. The 4 anterior segments of mesosome closely crowded<br />

together, and slightly excavated transversally ; the 3 posterior segments large and<br />

convex above, 5th segment scarcely narrower than the preceding segments, and<br />

deeply emarginated behind. Caudal segment narrow, triangular in form. Superior

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!