Gnathostenetroidoidea Kussakin, 1967

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Suggested Common Name: Tuskslaters and allies
Number of subordinate taxa: 34 species in 2 families worldwide, 5 species in a single family in our area
Etymology: after Gnathostenetroides Amar, 1957, see that account for details. Common name after Gnathostenetroididae, see that account for details
Taxonomic History: Gnathostenetroidoidea Kussakin, 1967
Description: Penes elongate, far-seperated. ♂️ pleopod 1 broad, opercular; protopod present; endites seperate from each other. ♂️ pleopod 2 small, tucked behind pleopod 1. ♀️ pleopod 2 protopod present. Pleopod 3 not operculate, usually similar to pleopods 4-5 (if those present).
Type taxon: Gnathostenetroididae Kussakin, 1967
Notes: This is the smallest of the four asellote superfamilies, with less species than most signifigant families. The other family, Protojaniridae, is freshwater and has a Gondwanan distribution (South America, southern Africa and the Indian subcontinent). Biogeographically, it appears Gnathostenetroidoidea originated around Gondwana, with a freshwater radiation resulting in Protojaniridae and a marine radiation across the Tethys Seaway resulting in Gnathostenetroididae, although more research is needed before any solid conclusions on the superfamily's evolutionary history can be made.

Subordinate taxa: Gnathostenetroididae

Sources

Kensley, B., & Schotte, M. (1989). Guide to the marine isopod crustaceans of the Caribbean. Smithsonian Institution Press.

Wilson, G. D. F. (1987). The road to the Janiroidea: Comparative morphology and evolution of the  asellote isopod crustaceans. Journal of Zoological Systematics and Evolutionary Research, 25(4), 257-280.

Published: Jan 1, 2023

Modified: Oct 25, 2023