FAMILY OEDICEROTIDAE Liljeborg, 1865

Ameroculodes Bousfield and Chevrier, 1996, emended diagnosis

Diagnosis. – Maxilliped, outer plate bearing spine setae only; palp with article 2 broad, distally truncate. Gnathopod 1, carpal lobe of medium length and width, reaching palmar angle. Pereopods 2­3, carpus longer than propodus; propodus broad, subovate, narrowing distally; dactyl short, one third or less length of propodus. Pereopods 4­5, merus relatively short, strongly expanded distally; dactyl short, one half or less length of propodus. Pereopod 7, carpus slightly longer than merus, subequal to propodus in length; dactyl, posterior margin strongly setose, bearing long natatory setae. Uropods 1­3, tips of rami not extending subequally, those of uropod 3 shorter than those of uropod 1­2. Telson subquadrate or rounded apically.

Remarks.– Because the new euryhaline species here described from southeastern U. S. estuaries appears to have its closest affinities with Ameroculodes, we here emend this genus to receive it. As species within the genus Monoculodes sensu Bousfield and Chevrier (1996) also have rounded or subquadrate epimeral plates, we consider this a specific, rather than a generic, character within the genus Ameroculodes, as well. The short dactyls of pereopods 3­6, especially those of pereopods 3 and 4, appear to be the best diagnostic character for the genus Ameroculodes .