Anoplodactylus petiolatus

(Krøyer, 1844)

Description:
Body more or less slender, with comparatively long lateral processes. Cephalon anteriorly constricted and projecting beyond the base of the proboscis. Abdomen long and narrow, reaching well beyond the last lateral processes, which have a dorsal protuberance which lacks a terminal spine.
Ocular tubercle located at the extremity of the frontal part, long and well developed. Proboscis cylindrical, rounded at the distal end. Chelifores comparatively feeble, covered with hair, having the chela small and the fingers scarcely forcipate. Palps absent.
Ovigerous legs in male only, with six segments, with the third very long, about twice the length of the second; terminal segment very small, bristle bearing, without any claw.
Ambulatory legs slender, more or less elongate, sparingly hair-beset; tarsus very short; propodus produced, with two large spines and a smaller pair, with four to six spines and a short cutting lamella on the sole; terminal claw elongate and sickle-shaped; auxiliary claws exceedingly small and rudimentary, not projecting beyond the outer margin of the terminal claw.
Colour usually off-white or colourless. Length of the body, taken from the tip of the proboscis to the posterior end of the abdomen up to 1.5 mm, with legs three times as long.

Habitat:
A shallow-water species.

Distribution:
From Norway to the Mediterranean; it has also been recorded from the Caribbean and may extend to the western coast of South America.

%LABEL% (%SOURCE%)