Gnathostenetroidoidea

Kussakin, 1967

Gnathostenetroidoidea is a superfamily of asellotan isopods established by Kussakin in 1967. Members are predominantly small crustaceans adapted to cryptic , including both freshwater groundwater systems and marine environments. The superfamily includes such as Protojaniridae and Caecostenetroididae. Documented exhibit reduced or absent and morphological specializations for subterranean or interstitial life.

Damaeus by (c) Alexis Tinker-Tsavalas, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Alexis Tinker-Tsavalas. Used under a CC-BY license.

Epidermoptidae by (c) Cricket Raspet, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Cricket Raspet. Used under a CC-BY license.

Psoroptidae by (c) Oleksii Vasyliuk, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Oleksii Vasyliuk. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Gnathostenetroidoidea: /nəθ.oʊ.stɛ.nɛ.trɔɪˈdɔɪ.di.ə/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

Members of this superfamily can be distinguished from other Asellota by features including a or reduced antennal and modified pereiopods. In Protojaniridae, possess a strongly subchelate pereiopod I and lack an lobe on the protopod of pleopod II. Many species are eyeless or have reduced , consistent with subterranean or adaptations.

Images

Habitat

include freshwater springs and groundwater systems, as well as marine environments. One documented from Chile represents the first known groundwater isopod in that country. Another species from Ascension Island inhabits marine interstitial sands.

Distribution

Documented from southern Chile (Los Lagos region, Osorno province) and Ascension Island in the South Atlantic. The Chilean record represents the third South American protojanirid .

Similar Taxa

AselloideaBoth are superfamilies within Asellota; Gnathostenetroidoidea is distinguished by the antennal and specific pereiopod modifications not found in Aselloidea.
StenetrioideaAnother Asellota superfamily; Gnathostenetroidoidea differs in antennal reduction and pleopod structure.

More Details

Taxonomic composition

The superfamily includes at least the Protojaniridae and Caecostenetroididae. Protojaniridae was established by Fresi, Idato & Scipione in 1980.

Conservation significance

Groundwater-dwelling members of this superfamily, such as the Chilean , are of interest for subterranean biodiversity assessment and may serve as indicators of groundwater health.