Southern Chaetiliid

Austrochaetilia capeli

Systematics: Isopoda Family Chaetiliidae

Distinguishing Characters:
The 10 mm long white body tapers to an acute pleotelson and has sculptured rows of knobs. The uropods are underneath and enclose the gills. The eyes are weak black spots on the broad head.

Habitat and Distribution:
The southern chaetiliid lives on the surface of sand between 4 and 100 m depth in southern Port Phillip Bay and Bass Strait.

General Biology:
Nothing is known of the biology of this species. It belongs to one of the valviferan families (like Idoteidae and Arcturidae) whose uropods form a chamber enclosing the fragile gills. Like many crustaceans living in course sands the legs are very spiny

Feedback and queries should be sent to the Discovery Centre at Museum Victoria.
Please note, the Discovery Centre can help you only with questions about crustaceans from southeastern Australia. It can not advise on the care of pet hermit crabs or on crustaceans from other regions.