Seroloidea
Dana, 1852
Seroloidea is a superfamily of marine isopod crustaceans within the suborder Sphaeromatidea. It comprises six , four of which are extant and two extinct. The superfamily was established by Dana in 1852. Seroloidea is distinguished from other sphaeromatidean superfamilies by unique morphological characteristics of its constituent families, particularly the Serolidae.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Seroloidea: /ˌsɛroʊˈlɔɪdiə/
These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.
Identification
Seroloidea can be distinguished from other sphaeromatidean superfamilies by the morphological characteristics of its . Members of Serolidae, the type family, are characterized by a dorsoventrally flattened body and distinctive pleopod . The extinct families Schweglerellidae and Tricarinidae are known from fossil material with preserved features that differentiate them from extant .
Images
Distribution
Extant members of Seroloidea occur in marine environments. Serolidae are primarily distributed in the Southern Ocean and surrounding temperate waters. Bathynataliidae are found in deep-water . Plakarthriidae (including the synonymized Chelonidiidae) have a more restricted distribution. Extinct are known from Jurassic and Cretaceous fossil deposits.
Similar Taxa
- SphaeromatoideaAnother superfamily within Sphaeromatidea; Seroloidea is distinguished by the flattened body form of Serolidae and the unique pleopod structures not found in Sphaeromatoidea
- AncinoideaSuperfamily within Sphaeromatidea; Seroloidea lacks the ancinoid body plan and has different mandibular
More Details
Taxonomic History
Chelonidiidae was established by Pfeffer in 1887 but has been synonymized with Plakarthriidae by the World Register of Marine . The extinct Schweglerellidae and Tricarinidae were described from fossil material in 1999 and 2007 respectively, expanding the known temporal range of the superfamily.