Syncarids

Code ON089999

Interstitial syncarid crustaceans of small size (to 3mm, but usually much smaller) belonging to the order Bathynellacea, which is distinguished by having 8 free thoracic segments (14 body segments). Parabathynellidae can be separated from Bathynellidae by the first pleopod (the appendage of abdominal segment 1) being 1-segmented or absent, and the expodite of the antenna absent or replaced by a seta.

There are four Australian genera: Notobathynella, Chilibathynella, Atopobathynella, and Hexabathynella.

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.