Sicafodiidae, fam. nov. for Sicafodia stylos, gen. nov., sp. nov., from the marine bathyal of south-eastern Australia (Crustacea: Amphipoda: Gammaridea)
Memoirs of Museum Victoria Vol 61 (1) p. 65–73 (2004)
Abstract
A new genus and species, Sicafodia stylos, is described from bathyal depths (400–1277 m) off south-eastern Australia. Following a discussion of its possible placement in existing families, a new family, Sicafodiidae, a potential sister taxon to the Pardaliscidae, is established. The new species is characterised by the extreme elongation of its conically bundled mouthparts including the inner plate of the maxillipeds, a completely smooth body, short, broadly rounded coxal plates, slender, simple but strongly dissimilar gnathopods and elongate pereopods. An analysis of the functional morphology of the mouthparts, including muscles in the upper lip and epistome, indicates that Sicafodia stylos feeds by piercing its prey and sucking up macerated/liquefied food. The actual food items are not known.
Citation
Just, J., 2004. Sicafodiidae, fam. nov. for Sicafodia stylos, gen. nov., sp. nov., from the marine bathyal of south-eastern Australia (Crustacea: Amphipoda: Gammaridea). Memoirs of Museum Victoria 61: 65-73. http://doi.org/10.24199/j.mmv.2004.61.5
PUBLICATION DATE: 31 DECEMBER 2004