A LARVAL GNATHIID FROM SETO, JAPAN (CRUSTACEA : ISOPODA)

Abstract

Through the courtesy of Drs. R. BIERI and T. TOKIOKA, the gnathiid specimens collected in the vicinity of Seto by their quantitative meio-epibenthos sampler 'Dragonet II' (BIERI & TOKIOKA 1968) were placed at my disposal for examination. The collection consisted of nine individuals in the larval stage, the largest measuring 1.56 mm long x 0.48 mm wide and the smallest 0.98 mm X 0.32 mm. On closer examination, they were revealed to be a member of the genus Gnathia LEACH, 1813. The specific identification is impossible, however, since the gnathiid fauna of Japan has been practically left untouched except for a few species reported by RICHARDSON ( 1909) and MONOT ( 1926). Below is given a short description of these specimens, together with a few sketches to show their morphological characteristics.