General Description

Body about 5 times as long as wide. Head 1.8 times as wide as long, front slightly excavate medially. Dorsal coxal plates 5 and 6 reaching posterior margin of tergites (in oblique lateral view); dorsal coxal plate 7 acute and clearly exceeding posterior margin of tergite; pleotelson apical excavation almost as deep as wide (except in small individuals), posterolateral angles rounded. Body up to 3 cm long.

Biology

Paridotea munda is the commonest species of its genus in Victoria and South Australia and is most easily recognised by the excavate margin of the last segment (pleotelson). This species belongs to one of the few families of herbivorous isopods. It can camouflage itself according to the colour of the marine algae in which it lives.

Distribution

Southern Australia.

Habitat

Intertidal algae, to depths of 22 m.

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