PORT PHILLIP BAY


Sea Flea 

Paranebalia sp. MoV 94

View scientific description and taxonomy

Scientific Details

Eyes with denticles or cuticular outgrowths. Mandible incisor with setal brush and molar large acessory process. Antenna 1 peduncle article 4 with median flange. Males with swollen or heavily setose flagella on antenna 1. Antenna 2 without minute denticles or spines over the surface of the peduncle and flagellum. Thoracopods extending well beyond the ventral margin of the carapace, exopods narrow, tapering distally to a point, epipods greatly reduced, much smaller that exopods. Pleopods 1-4, peduncle margin crenate. Pleonites 6 and 7, margin dorsally crenate.

Source: Walker-Smith, G.K. (1993) The systematics and taxonomy of some southern Australian Leptostraca, p. 81. University of Melbourne, Melbourne

Taxonomy

Phylum:
Arthropoda
Subphylum:
Crustacea
Class:
Malacostraca
Subclass:
Phyllocarida
Order:
Leptostraca
Family:
Paranebaliidae
Genus:
Paranebalia

General Description

Carapace laterally compressed forming a bivalve-like shell enclosing the bases of the legs; a hinged rostrum covering the eyes; abdomen tapering ending in a forked tail (caudal furca); with 7 abdominal segments. Males with swollen or heavily setose flagella on antenna 1. Colourless with bright red eyes. Up to 1 cm long.

Biology

Flattened crustaceans with a hinged flap over the eyes and living in muddy environments are sea fleas, variously called phyllocarids, leptostracans or nebaliaceans, depending on what level in the crustacean hierarchy is being referred to. There are several types of crustaceans which jump like fleas but these are not what are referred to here. Leptostracans are never found out of sea water. This species has been recognised as new but remains to be described.

Habitat

Low intertidal, to 420 m depth.

Soft substrates

Distribution guide

Southern temperate oceans, including southern Australia.

Species Group

Microcrustaceans › Leptostracans

Depth

Shore (0-1 m)
Shallow (1-30 m)
Deep ( > 30 m)

Water Column

On or near sea floor

Max Size

1 cm

Diet

Organic matter

Commercial Species

No

Global Dispersal

Native to Australia

Species Code

sp. MoV 94

Conservation Status

  • DSE Advisory List : Not listed
  • EPBC Act 1999 : Not listed
  • IUCN Red List : Not listed

Author

article author Taylor, J.

Dr. Jo Taylor is the Sciences Collections Online Coordinator at Museum Victoria.

Author

article author Poore, G.C.B.

Dr. Gary Poore is Principal Curator Emeritus at Museum Victoria.

citation

Cite this page as:
Taylor, J. & Poore, G.C.B., 2011, Sea Flea, Paranebalia , in Taxonomic Toolkit for marine life of Port Phillip Bay, Museum Victoria, accessed 17 Nov 2024, http://136.154.202.208:8098/species/5538

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