Microphasmoides Vinogradov, 1960

Zeidler, Wolfgang, 2009, A review of the hyperiidean amphipod superfamily Lanceoloidea Bowman & Gruner, 1973 (Crustacea: Amphipoda: Hyperiidea), Zootaxa 2000, pp. 1-117 : 93

Genus Microphasmoides Vinogradov, 1960

Microphasmoides Vinogradov, 1960d: 213–214 . Bowman & Gruner 1973: 17–18. Vinogradov et al. 1982: 107.

Type species. Microphasmoides vitjazi Vinogradov, 1960 by monotypy. The holotype, a sexually immature specimen measuring 8 mm, is in the ZMMU (Mb–1060), on microscope slides. The type locality is the tropical South Pacific [20°33’S 168°38’W]; Vityaz Stn. 3849, 0–8000 m, 30 Jan. 1958.

Diagnosis. Body length of females up to 8.0 mm, of males up to 6.0 mm or slightly more. Head without rostrum. Eyes absent. Antennae 1 relatively short; in female slightly shorter than head and first pereonite combined, slightly longer and larger in male. Antennae 2 slightly shorter than A1 with enlarged antennal gland. Mandibles with body narrowed distally; palp as long as body, third article length about 0.8x second. Gnathopod simple. Pereopod 5 subchelate with dactylus closing against distally broadened propodus; remaining pereopods simple.

Monospecific.

Sexual dimorphism. As for Microphasma .

Remarks. This is a very distinctive genus, readily distinguished by the strongly subchelate fifth pereopoda. Its similarity to Microphasma has already been discussed under that genus.