Atlas of Atlantic Ostracods

Taxon details

Conchoecia lophura Müller, G.W., 1906

Order:
MYODOCOPA
Suborder:
Halocypridina
Family:
Halocyprididae
Subfamily:
Conchoecinae
Size range (females):
2.3-2.7 mm
Size range (males):
2.2-2.5 mm
Depth:
meso-/bathypelagic

Notes

592 records

When describing this species Müller (1906) classified it along with six other species in his “Magna group”, in which he tentatively included Porroecia spinirostris. Müller reported it from the Atlantic and Indian Oceans between 31°N and 35°S. It has subsequently been reported from all oceans but from latitudes ranging from 60°N to 46°S. Martens (1979) described a subspecies from Chilean waters, which may, when critically compared with Atlantic material, prove to be a separate species. lophura is instantly recognized by the shape of its carapace and its unique possession of a row of gland cells on the posterior ventral margin of the left carapace valve. The function of these glands is unknown. The bathymetric profiles show that it is a mesopelagic species; the bathymetric range of adults is usually 400-1000m, with juveniles occurring somewhat shallower at 400-600m. Small numbers of females regularly occur at bathypelagic depths. There are quite marked differences between the profiles for 60°N and 53°N. These two profiles were observed in the same year, but the 60°N profile was observed two weeks earlier, so the differences between the profiles could have resulted from a seasonal migration coinciding with the onset of the Spring bloom. Living specimens are somewhat opaque and can be quite heavily pigmented with orange and yellow pigments.

Canary Is. n Mean mm s.d. Range mm
Female 59 2.56 0.074 2.30-2.70
Male 81 2.45 0.068 2.30-2.58
A-1 51 1.83 0.095 1.60-2.00
A-2 19 1.28 0.036 1.23-1.33
A-3        
Bermuda n Mean mm s.d. Range mm
Female 83 2.45 0.073 2.28-2.68
Male 50 2.35 0.092 2.16-2.72
A-1 197 1.78 0.071 1.54-1.96
A-2 01 1.25 0.042 1.10-1.38
A-3 289 0.89 0.035 0.78-1.00
A-4 238 0.67 0.029 0.54-0.76
44°N 13°W n Mean mm s.d. Range mm
Female 31 2.40 0.063 2.32-2.52
Male 64 2.34 0.051 2.20-2.44
A-1 71 1.80 0.053 1.68-1.92
A-2 158 1.24 0.034 1.16-1.32
A-3 103 0.87 0.025 0.80-0.92
A-4 46 0.64 0.025 0.58-0.70
Azores Front n Mean mm s.d. Range mm
Female 47 2.44 0.085 2.36-2.72
Male 66 2.35 0.069 2.18-2.60
A-1 50 1.75 0.046 1.64-1.84
A-2 54 1.21 0.036 1.12-1.28
A-3 44 0.85 0.027 0.80-0.90
A-4 100 0.63 0.021 0.58-0.68

Map

Distribution map for Conchoecia  lophura SST key

Bathymetry

bathymetry data for Conchoecia  lophura
bathymetry data for Conchoecia  lophura
bathymetry data for Conchoecia  lophura

Drawings

Drawings of Conchoecia  lophura

Outline

Outline of Conchoecia  lophura