Pseudoniphargidae G. Karaman, 1993

Myers, A, 2013, A Phylogeny and Classification of the Senticaudata subord. nov. (Crustacea: Amphipoda), Zootaxa 3610 (1), pp. 1-80 : 45-46

Pseudoniphargidae G. Karaman, 1993

Type genus. Pseudoniphargus Chevreux, 1901 .

Diagnostic description. Body laterally compressed or subcylindrical. Eyes absent. Antennae 1–2 calceoli absent. Antenna 1 longer than antenna 2; peduncular article 1 longer than article 2; article 2 longer than article 3; article 3 shorter than article 1; peduncular articles 1–2 not geniculate; accessory flagellum short or minute. Antenna 2 peduncular article 1 enlarged, bulbous. Mandible molar triturative; palp symmetrical. Maxilla 1 basal endite apically setose; palps symmetrical. Maxilla 2 basal endite without oblique setal row. Labium inner lobes present.

Coxal gills number and sequence [not known], stalked (without proximal restriction); sternal gills absent; sternal blisters absent; oostegites fringing setae simple. Gnathopod 1 subchelate; dissimilar in males and females (sexually dimorphic); smaller (or weaker) than gnathopod 2; propodus palm with row or rows of simple or bifid robust setae along palmar margin (reduced in size). Gnathopod 2 subchelate; dissimilar in males and females (sexually dimorphic); carpus not produced along posterior margin of propodus, projecting between merus and propodus. Pereopods 3–4 not sexually dimorphic. Pereopod 4 with well developed posteroventral lobe or without posteroventral lobe. Pereopod 5 shorter than pereopod 6; coxa with small anteroventral lobe. Pereopod 7 longer than pereopod 5. Pleonites 1–3 without dorsal carinae. Urosomites 1–3 free; with or without slender or robust dorsal setae. Urosomite 1 without large distoventral robust seta. Urosomite 2 without dorsal setae. Uropod 1 with or without basofacial robust setae. Uropod 3 sexually dimorphic (adriaticus group) or not; biramous, without plumose setae; endopod minute. Telson notched , emarginate or entire ; dorsal or lateral robust setae absent; apical robust setae present.

Habitat. Freshwater, hypogean.

Included genera. Parapseudoniphargus Notenboom 1988 ; Pseudoniphargus Chevreux, 1901 .

Remarks. G. Karaman (1993) does not strictly follow the ICZN rules for establishing this family, in that he does not specifically state that it is a new family, but he does give a type genus and indicates that it is monotypic. We therefore attribute authorship of the family to G. Karaman (1993).

Distribution. Mediterranean region and Canary Islands.