Syncarids

Code ON019999

Syncarid crustaceans of moderate size and benthic to hypogean habit. The antennules and antennae are longer than the head. The compound eyes are on stalks. The trunk is 13-segmented (7 free thoracic segments). The abdominal segments carry large pleopods. The telson is rounded and the uropods are held flat to form a tail fan. Of all syncarid families this family displays the closest similarity of form to the 'advanced' shrimps of classes Decapoda, Isopoda and Amphipoda.

Anaspididae can at once be distinguished from decapods by the lack of a carapace, and from non-flattened isopods or amphipods by the tail fan and the form of the walking legs.

Among syncarids, the otherwise similar Koonungidae have sessile eyes or are blind, rather than having eyes on stalks.

This family is confined to Tasmania and South America. The three Tasmanian genera are Anaspides, Allanaspides and Paranaspides.

References:

Horwitz, P., Knott, B. and Williams, W.D. (1995) A Preliminary Key to the Malacostracan Families (Crustacea) found in Australian Inland Waters. Co-operative Research Centre for Freshwater Ecology Identification Guide No. 4., Albury, NSW.

Williams, W.D. (1980) Australian Freshwater Life: The Invertebrates of Australian Inland Waters.The Macmillan Company of Australia, Melbourne.