Key character
Species with large and distinctive compound accessory glands opening about midway along the ventral edge of the carapace. This genus was revised by Gooday (1976).
¥ Gaussicia gaussi (Müller, 1908) (Gaussicia gaussi,Gaussicia gaussi 2), the largest (3 mm) species, is bathypelagic. The accessory glands open posteriorly to the midpoint. The ventral carapace margin is nearly parallel to the dorsal edge.
¥ Gaussicia incisa (Müller, 1906) (Gaussicia incisa, Gaussicia incisa 2), the next largest species. The carapace tapers anteriorly in the female. There is a marked sexual disparity in carapace length (female 2.45-2.8 mm, males 1.8-1.9 mm). The female antennular a-d setae are <50% the e seta, and in the males the a seta is relatively long but the c seta is short.
¥ Gaussicia edentata (Müller, 1906) (Gaussicia edentata, Gaussicia edentata 2 ) is smaller and is notable for all the female antennular setae being subequal and the male antennular c and e setae being exceptionally long.
¥ Gaussicia subedentata (Gooday, 1976) (Gaussicia subedentata, Gaussicia subedentata 2) a still smaller species, occurring at low latitudes. This species has similarly long antennular setae but the e seta armature in the male consists of far fewer pairs of spinules.
Gaussicia incisa is the type species for the genus.
Species information:
Genus Gaussicia.pct