Phrosina semilunata Risso

Phrosina semilunata Risso, 1822: 245 .

Dactylocera nicaeensis Milne­Edwards, 1830: 393 .

Phrosina longispina Bate, 1862: 320–321, pl. 51, fig. 7.

Phrosina pacifica Stebbing, 1888: 1430 .

Phrosina australis Stebbing, 1888: 1431 .

Type material Type material of P. semilunata is considered lost (see above).

Type material of synonyms

The holotype female of P. nicaeensis is in the ANSP (CA 2682), in the Guérin­Méneville collection (number unknown): once alcohol preserved, now dry (see Zeidler 1997) .

Type material of P. longispina could not be found at the BMNH or MNHN and is considered lost.

The two syntypes of P. pacifica are in the BMNH (89.5.15.238–239): in spirit .

The holotype of P. australis is in the BMNH (89.5.15.240): in spirit .

Remarks

An examination of the types of P. nicaeensis, P. pacifica and P. australis has confirmed the monotypy of this genus.

Whether or not this species is associated with gelatinous plankton has not been determined.

Distribution

A very common cosmopolitan species, favouring tropical and temperate regions. It often forms local concentrations near the surface but can occur down to 1000 m, rarely deeper (Vinogradov et al. 1982).