Genus Xiphoniscus Vandel, 1968

Type species: Xiphoniscus mirabilis Vandel, 1968

Diagnosis (based on Leistikow 2000b). Species small, up to 4.5 mm in length. Smooth tergal surface. Cephalothorax with linea supraantennalis; linea frontalis thin or absent; slight lateral lobes present; eyes with at most 8 ommatidia. Molar penicil of mandible with one prominent branch and up to four smaller ones. Mesal endite of first maxilla with two slender penicils; lateral endite bearing 4+4 or 5 teeth with inner set cleft. Maxilliped endite with one or two teeth caudally and knob-like “penicil” rostrally. Ornamental sensory spine of carpus of pereopod 1 with serrate double-fringe. Pereopods with inner claw of dactylus short and dactylar seta simple. Coxal plates I–VII with noduli laterales (on coxal plate IV, nodulus inserted more dorsally); coxal plates II with a spiny prolongation directed backward. Pleopods lacking respiratory areas; male pleopod 1 endopodite with apex bent laterally and with 3–4 lateral teeth directed proximally. Uropod protopodite grooved and endopodite inserting proximally relative to exopodite.