Liljeborg, 1853
Diagnosis
The carapace generally has a prominent rostrum and a wide incisure (wider in males). There is no caudal process and the surface is smooth, punctate or reticulate. The sixth limb has four segment and the end one carrying 15-35 setae. There are no secondary claws on the caudal furca. The lateral eyes are either lost or reduced in females, but in males they are well-developed with 20-42 ommatidia. The frontal organ is elongate with two or three segments.
Remarks
This is one of eight genera in the subfamily Philomedinae. Two species Philomedes brenda and Philomedes lilljeborgi occur in the region. These species are distinguished on the basis of the terminal segment of the seventh limb having four or five terminal pegs which are 3 to 4 times longer than wide in the latter species (Kornicker, 1987), and 7 to 9 in the former. Philomedes brenda is a more northern species, whereas Philomedes lilljeborgi has been reported from deep water in the Bay of Biscay (Kornicker, 1989).
[Adapted from Angel, 2000]