Polyacanthus

Polyacanthus
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Malacostraca
Order: Isopoda
Suborder: Oniscidea
Family: Armadillidae
Genus: Polyacanthus
Budde-Lund, 1909

Polyacanthus is a genus of woodlice belonging to the family Armadillidae. This genus was described in 1909 by Gustav Budde-Lund. The type specimen for this species is a Polyacanthus aculeatus from Cabinda Province.[1] There are currently two species in this genus.[2]

Description

The dorsal surface of this genus has characteristic long spines. Their frontal lamina protrude past the end of the head. Their epimera are very long, rectangular, and point outwards in a nearly horizontal direction. The first and second thoracic segment of this genus have rounded ventral lobes. Their second to seventh pereon segments have a broad triangular tooth directed forwards at the base of the external spines. Their telson is hour-glass-shaped with a long distal part and truncated apex. Their uropod protopodite is rectangular, and their exopodite is reduced.[3]

Distribution

This genus has been found in Angola and South Africa.[1][3]

Species

  • Polyacanthus aculeatus (Budde-Lund, 1885)
  • Polyacanthus transvaalensis Barnard, 1932

References

  1. ^ a b Schmidt, Christian (2004). "Catalogue of genera of the terrestrial Isopoda (Crustacea: Isopoda: Oniscidea)". Steenstrupia. 28 (1): 73.
  2. ^ "Marine Species Traits - Polyacanthus Budde-Lund, 1909". marinespecies.org. Retrieved 2026-03-18.
  3. ^ a b Schmalfuss, H.; Ferrara, F. (1983-07-30). "Terrestrial Isopods from West Africa: Part 3: Family Armadillidae Verhoeff, 1917". Monitore Zoologico Italiano. Supplemento (in French). 18 (1): 111–157. doi:10.1080/00269786.1983.11758568. ISSN 0374-9444.