(Johnston, 1837)
Description:
Body smooth, somewhat short and stout, with the lateral processes scarcely longer than the segments are broad. Cephalon exceeding in length that of the other segments together, neck rather thick and not sharply defined from the frontal part; distance from the ocular tubercle to the anterior margin of the cephalon less than from the former to the abdomen. The two last segments of the trunk coalescent. Abdomen very small, obtusely conic, directed upwards.
Ocular tubercle rather low, obtusely pointed, with well-developed eyes. Proboscis long, about half the size of the cephalon, anteriorly directed, slightly wider anteriorly; oral orifice plain. Chelifores short, hand the length of the scape; fingers shorter than the palm. Palps absent.
Ovigerous legs in female the length of the body, in male as long, last segment with nine lamellar spines; without any claw.
Ambulatory legs about three and a half times the length of the body; 2nd coxa not twice as long as the two other together; femur equal in length to tibia 2, tibia 1 considerably shorter; propodus somewhat curved, with five strong spines in the basal part of the inner margin; auxiliary claws a little shorter than the terminal claw.
Body translucent, with broad opaque white transverse bands across the ambulatory legs. Length of the body up to 1.5 mm; the extent between the points of the ambulatory legs reaching 11 mm.
Habitat:
Sublittoral and occasionally in the littoral.
Distribution:
From Scandinavia to the Mediterranean and on the Atlantic coast of North America.