Part 2 - Sphaeromatidae::“Cute As Buttons”

Discerceis linguicauda (Richardson, 1901)
Figure 93B
Dynamenella 213
DIAGNOSIS 6 7.2 mm. Dorsal integument, especially of posterior half, with
numerous scattered granular tubercles. Uropodal endopod and sympod
fused, very short, exopod elongate, subcylindrical and slightly bowed. Ante­
rior half of pleotelson inflated, with three elongate rounded ridges (each com­
posed of two contiguous tubercles) ending posteriorly in subacute tubercle;
posterior margin trilobed, median lobe broadly rounded, with subacute tu­
bercle at base, lateral lobe truncate, well separated from median lobe. Head
and pereonite 1 not fused. Frontal lamina visible dorsally between antennal
bases. Penes short, separate. Copulatory stylet basally relatively broad, dis-
tally broadly rounded.
RECORDS Cape Catoche, Yucatan, Mexico, 48-50 m.
REMARKS This species is known only from the four male syntypes.
Dynamenella Hansen, 1905b
DIAGNOSIS Species exhibiting obvious sexual dimorphism. Both sexes lack­
ing processes on pereon and pleon, Uropodal rami lamellar. Exopod of
pleopod 3 with or without articulation. 9: Mouthparts not metamorphosed.
Broodpouch lacking oostegites, but formed by two opposing ventral pockets
opening in midline between fourth pereopods. Apex of pleotelson with notch,
Key to species of Dynamenella
1. 6 with pleotelsonic foramen 2
6 lacking foramen but with notch, or appearing entire; 9 pleotelson
with faint notch visible acutitelson
2. 6 with four strong pleotelsonic ridges; 9 with subcircular pleotelsonic
foramen quadrilirata
6 lacking pleotelsonic ridges; 9 with posterior margin of pleotelson
entire perforata