Gooday, 1981
Diagnosis
Lateral outline clearly tapering in the anterior half (C. subinflata Habitus 1, C. subinflata Habitus 3). Posterior margin symmetrically rounded. In ventral aspect, carapace outline is weakly biconcave or even almost parallel-sided (C. subinflata Habitus 2, C. subinflata Habitus 4). The left asymmetrical gland lies 11.5% of length behind the tip of the rostrum. Male first antenna "e" seta armature 9-11 pairs of spines (C. subinflata 4).
Remarks
This is one of the species complex described by Gooday, 1981, which will always prove to be a difficult group to sort out. In U.K. waters specimens taken at shallow mesopelagic depths are mostly likely to be this species. Below 400m it can be confused with C. obtusa (Conchoecia obtusa); the most reliable character for distinguishing the two species is that in ventral aspect the antero-ventral edge below the incisure appears sharp in this species and bluntly rounded in C. obtusa.
Distribution
Known in the Atlantic from 35°S-60°N, also possibly occurs in the Indian and Southwest Pacific Oceans. Overall bathymetric range in the Atlantic is 200-900m, but it is most abundant at 200-400m. Abundant at 1, 2, 3 (R.R.S. Discovery Map).
Type specimens
Holotype, a dissected male (British Museum (Natural History) 1979.702). Paratypes, a dissected female (BM(NH) 1979.703) and 44 females and 47 males (BM(NH) 1979.815-824).
Type locality
Discovery Station 7709, haul 27; 60°08.77'N 19°59.9'W; depth 500-600m; date 28th April 1971; time 1751-1951; gear RMT1.