EURYCOPE-BREVIROSTRIS (ISOPODA, ASELLOTA) FROM THE DEEP ARCTIC-OCEAN - REDESCRIPTION, POSTMARSUPIAL DEVELOPMENT, AND REPRODUCTIVE PATTERN

Eurycope brevirostris Hansen, 1916 (Crustacea, Isopoda, Asellota), recently collected in the Arctic Ocean, is redescribed and data are given on distributional patterns, postmarsupial development and reproductive pattern of the species. The species had been recorded from depths between 768 and 1588 m off western Norway and northern and northeastern Iceland, and appears to be confined to areas with water temperature < -0.4-degrees-C. Nine developmental stages were identified for the females and seven for the males; females seem to be able to enter second preparatory and brooding stages. Brooding females occurred at all seasons but were most frequent in June and the frequency of the manca stages decreased from June to November, indicating highest breeding intensity in the early summer months. Size frequency analysis indicated rapid growth in the summer months, but the growth was probably slower during the winter months. Time from first manca stage to minimal brooding size is calculated to be around 290 days. The number of embryos (stage III) in the marsupia range from 4 to 13 and increases linearly with female length.