Melitidae Bousfield, 1973

Myers, A, 2013, A Phylogeny and Classification of the Senticaudata subord. nov. (Crustacea: Amphipoda), Zootaxa 3610 (1), pp. 1-80 : 37

Melitidae Bousfield, 1973

Type genus. Melita Leach, 1814 .

Diagnostic description. Body laterally compressed. Eyes well developed, poorly developed or absent, if present then round, ovoid or reniform. Antennae 1–2 calceoli absent. Antenna 1 subequal in length to, or longer than antenna 2; peduncular article 1 shorter than, subequal to, or longer than article 2; article 2 longer than article 3; article 3 shorter than article 1; peduncular articles 1–2 or 2–3 not geniculate; accessory flagellum long, short or minute. Antenna 2 peduncular article 1 not enlarged. Mandible molar triturative, non-triturative or with tiny triturating patch; palp symmetrical. Maxilla 1 inner plate setose along medial margin; palp symmetrical. Maxilla 2 with or without oblique setal row. Labium inner lobes present. Coxal gills number and sequence [not known], stalked (with or without proximal restriction or complete suture) or not stalked; sternal gills absent; sternal blisters absent; oostegites fringing setae simple. Gnathopod 1 subchelate; similar in males and females (not sexually dimorphic); smaller (or weaker) than gnathopod 2, or similar in size to gnathopod 2; propodus palm without robust setae along palmar margin. Gnathopod 2 subchelate; dissimilar in males and females (sexually dimorphic); carpus slightly produced along posterior margin of propodus or not produced along posterior margin of propodus, projecting between merus and carpus. Pereopods 3–4 not sexually dimorphic. Pereopod 4 with well developed or small posteroventral lobe or without posteroventral lobe. Pereopod 5 shorter than pereopod 6; coxa with large or small anteroventral lobe. Pereopod 7 longer than pereopod 5. Pleonites 1–3 without dorsal carinae. Urosomites 1–3 free; with slender or robust dorsal setae. Urosomite 1 without large distoventral robust seta. Urosomite 2 with pair of dorsal concavities each with 1–3 small setae. Uropod 1 with or without basofacial robust seta (robust or simple). Uropod 3 not sexually dimorphic; biramous; inner ramus minute. Telson deeply cleft ; dorsal or lateral robust setae present; apical robust setae present.

Habitat. Freshwater, marine, hypogean, epigean.

Included genera. Abludomelita Karaman, 1981b ; Allomelita Stock, 1984 a; Alsacomelita Karaman, 1984e ; Anamaera Thomas & Barnard, 1985 ; Anchialella J.L. Barnard, 1979 ; Brachina Barnard & Williams, 1995 ; Caledopisa Stock & Iliffe, 1995 ; Carnarimelita Bousfield, 1990 ; Cottarellia Ruffo, 1994 ; Desdimelita Jarrett & Bousfield, 1996 ; Dulichiella Stout, 1912 ; Galapsiellus J.L. Barnard, 1976 ; Josephosella Ruffo, 1985 ; Megamoera Bate, 1862 ; Melita Leach, 1814 ; Melitoides Gurjanova, 1934 ; Nainaloa Karaman & Barnard, 1979; Nurina Bradbury & Eberhard, 2000 ; Quasimelita Jarrett & Bousfield, 1996 ; Rotomelita J.L. Barnard, 1977 ; Sriha Stock, 1988 (new name for Quadrus Karaman, 1984e ); Tegano Barnard & Karaman, 1982; Verdeia Lowry & Springthorpe, 2007 .

Distribution. Cosmopolitan.