Lirceus

Classification

Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Crustacea
Class: Malacostraca
Superorder: Peracarida
Order: Isopoda
Suborder: Asellota
Superfamily: Aselloidea
Family: Asellidae
Genus: Lirceus

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Lirceus: /ˈlɜːr.si.əs/

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Summary

Lirceus is a genus of isopod crustaceans in the family Asellidae, consisting of about 15 described species with potentially dozens of undescribed species.

Identification Tips

Species identification of Lirceus is not recommended until a new revision is released, due to the poor features used to define species in the last revision.

Habitat

Lirceus species inhabit freshwater environments in southern Canada and the eastern United States.

Distribution

Endemic to Eastern North America, known from the St. Lawrence River to eastern Oklahoma and northern Florida.

Conservation Status

Two species listed as endangered (EN) or vulnerable (VU) on the IUCN Red List.

Evolution

Recent genetic studies suggest that some variable species described in 1949 may actually represent complexes of diverse species, indicating unknown biodiversity.

Similar Taxa

Asellidae