Gnathia abyssorum

(G.O. Sars, 1872)

Description
— Praniza. Full description not available. Telson very sharp, with straight margins. Antennal flagellum (a2) six-segmented, similar as in the adult.
— Male. Body rather short and robust; 2.5-2.75 times longer than wide; antero-dorsal part (at least cephalon) with slightly rough surface.
Cephalon very wide, with long , slightly convex lateral margins. Well developed, conspicuous and pointed supra-ocular lobes. Fronto-lateral processes conspicuous, with an obvious concavity in between. Eyes well developed.
Mandibles rather short, straightened, cutting edge convex and notched.
Pereion: segments 1 and 2 very short; segment 3 with straight, oblique lateral margins; segment 5 subequally to segments 4 and 6, with stretched lateral sides, faint sulcus visible.
Pleon segments with straight lateral margins, without clear epimers.
Pylopods normal.
Telson short and pointed.

Size
Praniza: unknown; male length 2.5 - 3 mm.

Depth range
Unknown

Hosts
Stryphnus ponderosus, Tragosia infundibuliformis, Axinella arctica, Phakelia robusta, Steletta normani (all Phylum Porifera, Sponges) (Hansson, 1998b).

Distribution in the North Sea
Possibly northern North Sea.

World distribution
N Atlantic.

[description after Monod, 1926]

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