University of Tasmania, Australia

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UTAS Home > IMAS Home > Image Key > Malacostraca > Peracarida >  Isopoda

Isopoda

Latreille 1817

Taxonomy

Phylum Arthropoda
Subphylum Crustacea
Class Malacostraca
Superorder Peracarida
Order Isopoda

Size

  • Isopods are not very common in plankton nets and those that are taken are likely to be very small.

Distinguishing characteristics

  • Closely related to amphipods but differ from them in that the body is usually dorso-ventrally flattened instead of laterally flattened.
  • Gills associated with the abdominal appendages.
  • First 2 pairs of legs do not usually end in claws.

Additional notes

  • Please note the specimen photographed for this fact sheets was not collected in plankton nets.