Phreatoicoidea
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Phreatoicoidea
(frē′ad·ō·i′köid·ē·ə)
(invertebrate zoology) A suborder of the Isopoda having a subcylindrical body that appears laterally compressed, antennules shorter than the antennae, and the first thoracic segment fused with the head.
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Phreatoicoidea
A suborder of the Isopoda and class Crustacea. The body is subcylindrical, appearing laterally compressed, mainly because of the downward development of the pleura of the pleon (see illustration). The first and occasionally the second thoracic segment is fused with the head. Antennules are shorter than the antennae. The eyes may be large, small, or absent. Mouthparts are primitive.
Onchotelson brevicaudatus, adult male.
The suborder is divided into two families, the Amphisopidae, and the Phreatoicidae. The suborder is an ancient one and includes a fossil, Protamphisopus wianamattensis, from the Triassic beds of New South Wales. Three extant species are recorded from Australia, Tasmania, New Zealand, and South Africa and one that is subterranean from India. Most species occur in fresh water. Several are blind, subterranean forms and one occurs in hot water from deep artesian bores. A few are semiterrestrial, burrowing forms.
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