Genus Laxohyperia Vinogradov and Volkov, 1982

Remarks

This monotypic genus is very similar to Hyperoche but is readily distinguished by the smaller size and the unique structure of the gnathopods. Virtually nothing is known regarding its biology, but its similarity to Hyperoche suggests that it may eventually be found in association with ctenophores. It seems to be a rare species having been recorded only three times in the literature. Vinogradov et al. (1982) had three females from the northern part of the South China Sea, Shih and Chen (1995) described a male, also from the South China Sea and Lima and Valentin (2001) record a male and some females from the South Atlantic Ocean, off Brazil. I have also seen specimens from the Tasman Sea (SAMA), the Gulf of Guinea (USNM), the North Pacific Ocean, off Baja California (USNM), the tropical South Pacific Ocean (ZMUC), the Arabian Sea (USNM), the tropical South Indian Ocean, near the Seychelles (ZMUC) and the eastern Mediterranean Sea (ZMUC).

Species: Laxohyperia vespuliformis Vinogradov & Volkov, 1982 .