6 - Sphaeromatidae::“Cute As Buttons”

1 14 FLABELLIFERA
reduced to a simple or lobed sac, generally without appendages. The brood-
pouch is formed by invagination of the ventral body wall. The eggs are re­
leased by the bursting of the sac. Cryptoniscids have been recorded as
parasites of ostracods, cirripedes, mysidaceans, amphipods, isopods, and
cumaceans. The majority feed on blood, but the females of some forms have
been reported to be egg predators.
Given the highly variable morphology of the epicarideans, and the neces­
sity of examining large series of specimens, keys are not provided and species
are not treated individually here. As there is a degree of genus- and species-
specificity for the hosts, Table 2 is provided to give a clue to the possible
identity of a specimen. The student is then advised to consult one of the
detailed works on the group. The most useful single work on the speciose
Bopyridae for the area covered here is Markham (1985).
Suborder Flabellifera Sars, 1882
DIAGNOSIS Eyes usually well developed, reduced or absent in cave forms.
Antennules and antennae uniramous; antennal peduncle of five or six arti­
cles. Mandible usually strong, adapted for cutting and grinding, occasionally
for piercing; lacinia mobilis, spine-row, and molar usually present, although
latter sometimes reduced; usually with triarticulate palp. Maxilla 1
biramous, sometimes adapted for piercing; maxilla 2 biramous, outer ramus
Key to families of Flabellifera
1. Pleon consisting of four or five free pleonites plus pleotelson 3
Pleon consisting of not more than three free pleonites plus
pleotelson 2
2. Pleon consisting of one or two free pleonites plus pleotelson; body
usually dorsally strongly convex; pleopods subequal
Sphaeromatidae
Pleon consisting of three free pleonites plus pleotelson; body strongly
depressed; pleopods 1—3 small, natatory, pleopods 4 and 5 large and
broadly ovate Serolidae
3. Uropodal rami flattened, generally not reduced 4
Uropodal rami reduced, exopod often hooklike Limnoriidae