Key character
Small globous species with reticulate carapace sculpturing distinguished by the thin-walled setae of the antennae being bifurcate. Four species:
¥ Mikroconchoecia curta (Lubbock, 1860) (Mikroconchoecia curta, Mikroconchoecia curta 2), the commonest species, which is <1 mm long, has the asymmetrical gland on the right carapace valve opening only just above the posterior ventral corner. The males have about eight small pegs as armature on the antennular e seta and a normal sized copulatory appendage.
¥ Mikroconchoecia echinulata (Claus, 1891) (Mikroconchoecia echinulata, Mikroconchoecia echinulata 2) is slightly smaller, with the right asymmetrical gland opening midway up the posterior margin. The males have only five pegs as armature on the antennular e seta and an extremely large intromittent organ.
¥ Mikroconchoecia acuticosta (Müller, 1906) (Mikroconchoecia acuticosta, Mikroconchoecia acuticosta 2) is a large species (>1 mm) shaped similarly to M. curta but with humped shoulder vaults. The male antennular e seta has an armature of 12 pegs.
¥ Mikroconchoecia stigmatica (Müller, 1906) (Mikroconchoecia stigmatica, Mikroconchoecia stigmatica 2) is also >1 mm in length and tapers anteriorly. The right asymmetrical gland opens midway up the posterior margin.
Species information:
Genus Mikroconchoecia.pct