Brady and Norman, 1896
Diagnosis
A species similar to C. borealis (Conchoecia borealis), but is larger, less reticulated, with less well developed shoulder vaults which are rounded rather than sharp-edged. In lateral aspect the dorsal margin of the carapace almost straight (C. maxima Habitus 1, C. maxima Habitus 3), whereas in C. borealis (Conchoecia borealis) the sharp-edged shoulder vaults appear clearly bowed.
Female, frontal organ stem similar in length to first antenna, capitulum slightly down-turned, curved, spinose, ending in a slightly curved point (C. maxima 1). First antenna with a long dorsal seta extending almost to the tip of the capitulum, podomeres covered extensively with fine bristles.
Male, frontal organ stem also similar in length to first antenna, capitulum down-turned, swollen basally but distally parallel-sided ending in a straight point, spinose over basal half and ventral two thirds (C. maxima 3). First antenna "e" seta armature 44-49 pairs of spines which are more robust than in C. borealis , "b" seta with a ridged pad and two spines immediately distal of the pad.
Remarks
Originally described by Brady and Norman, 1896, but synonymised with C. borealis (Conchoecia borealis) by Müller, 1906. Skogsberg, 1920 considered it to be a subspecies of C. borealis . Poulsen, 1973 then split it off again. Examination of material both from Discovery Collections and from the high Arctic has confirmed it to be a distinct species.
Distribution
Endemic to the Arctic region extending just into the North Pacific and to about 60°N in deep water in the Atlantic. 3 (R.R.S. Discovery Map).
Type specimens
None designated; status of original material uncertain.
Type locality
Originally described from two localities in the North Atlantic, at 74°49'N 11°30'W at a depth of 350 fathoms, and 60°20'N 7°23'W at a depth of 200 fathoms in the Faeroes Channel.