Conchoecia kampta

Müller, 1906

Diagnosis
A large species. Carapace subrectangular in lateral aspect (C. kampta Habitus 1, C. kampta Habitus 3). Posterior margin almost straight, angled slightly where right asymmetrical gland opens, then curves abruptly to form the postero-ventral corner. Ventral margin slightly concave. A clear pattern of sculpturing in the anterior region with striations parallelling the margin in the region of the incisure, then intercepting the ventral margin at an angle of 45°in the anterior half. In ventral aspect the anterior edge of carapace below the incisure is characteristically bowed (C. kampta Habitus 2, C. kampta Habitus 4). The left asymmetrical gland opens just anteriorly of the hind end of the hinge. The right asymmetrical gland opens at the postero-ventral corner, with just dorsally another large group of gland cells.
Female, frontal organ clearly differentiated, capitulum slightly down-turned, hirsute proximally, but bare distally (C. kampta 1). First antenna sensory seta of only 40% of the "e" seta; second antenna endopodite sensory setae with spinous bases (C. kampta 2).
Male, frontal organ capitulum strongly down-turned otherwise similar to female's (C. kampta 3). First antenna with "a" and "c" setae longer than second podomere, "e" seta 10% longer than the "b" and "d" setae, its armature consists of about 50 pairs of long blunt spines; the "b" seta carries a ridged pad.

Remarks
This species is similar to C. tyloda (Conchoecia tyloda) but is readily distinguished on the basis of the sculpturing, being limited to the anterior half, more lightly incised, and running parallel to the anterior margin immediately below the incisure edge.

Distribution
Probably endemic to the North Atlantic where it occurs at bathypelagic depths between 53°N-2°N. 1, 2, 3 (R.R.S. Discovery Map).

Type specimens
None designated; status of original material uncertain.

Type locality
Original description based on material from 31°N-2°N in the Atlantic.

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