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.

219<br />

sites, one on each side of the anterior division of the body, both turning their<br />

heads towards that of their host (see fig. 1). On examining the specimens more<br />

closely, they were found to be of rather different size and different degrees of<br />

development, though evidently representing the very same species. The smallest<br />

specimens (fig.<br />

1 a) had all the characters of a normal Bopyrid-larva in the 1st<br />

stage, and exhibited a strong resemblance to the well-known larva of Phryxus<br />

abdominalis (cf. PL 91 below), the number of legs being only 6 pairs, and<br />

the antennse, pleopoda and uropoda being tipped with slender bristles. In some-<br />

what larger specimens (fig. 16) the antennse had lost their bristles, and assumed<br />

the appearance characteristic of the Mieronisci, looking merely like simple inarti-<br />

culate processes. The 6 pairs of legs exhibited likewise a much more clumsy<br />

appearance, showing scarcely any trace of articulation, though terminating in a<br />

sharp hook-like point, and behind them a 7th pair of legs was seen in process<br />

of formation as 2 comparatively small rounded tuberosities. The pleopoda were<br />

still tipped with bristles, but of very small size, whereas the uropoda were wholly<br />

devoid of such bristles, and their rami were only present in the form of slight lobes.<br />

In other specimens (fig.<br />

1 c.) of larger size and with the body more produced, the<br />

7th pair of legs had lengthened considerably so as to project laterally, though<br />

showing as yet no trace of a terminal claw (see fig.<br />

1 c., p 7). In this<br />

stage, which otherwise did not difier much from the preceding one, the<br />

Microniscus agrees rather closely with one of the 2 specimens recently figured<br />

by Dr. Hansen in his work on the Isopoda, Cumacea and Stomatopoda of the<br />

German Plankton-Expedition. Finally, in the largest specimens (fig.<br />

1 d), which<br />

exhibited all the characters of a normal Microniscus calani, all the 7 pairs of<br />

legs were distinctly developed and of exactly the same structure, representing<br />

indistinctly articulated grasping organs, (fig.<br />

1 d. p.), and the uropoda had leng-<br />

thened considerably, the outer ramus projecting far beyond the inner, and exhibiting<br />

a -few small hairs at its tip (see fig.<br />

1 d. urp.). In all the specimens, distinct<br />

though rather small eyes were present on each side of the flat, semicircular<br />

cephalon, and the lateral parts of the segments were more or less acutely pro-<br />

duced, giving the sides of the body a jagged appearance.<br />

Another form of Microniscus was found in a different locality, clinging<br />

to a deep-water Calanoid, Mdridia longa Lubbock (fig. 2). This form (fig. 2 a),<br />

of which 2 specimens were secured, agreed<br />

in all essential characters with that<br />

found on Pscudocalanus doiujatu*, but was of somewhat larger size, and had the<br />

lateral parts of the segments less produced. It differed, moreover, in the total<br />

absence of visual organs, as also in the structure of the uropoda. \YluTeas in<br />

the other form, the inner ramus of these appendages exhibited a very rudimen-

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

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!