Müller, 1906
Diagnosis
Carapace tapers anteriorly especially in the female (C. incisa Habitus 1). Marked sexual dimorphism in carapace size. Sculpturing absent. Ventral margin slightly concave, curving smoothly into the posterior margin. Large medial gland at midlength along ventral edge. Right asymmetrical gland opening at one third height on posterior margin (C. incisa Habitus 1, C. incisa Habitus 3).
Male, first antenna (C. incisa 3) a seta twice length of limb, "c" seta short and thick, "e" seta armature 25-33 pairs of short spines, "b" seta with ridged pad (C. incisa 4).
Remarks
There have been relatively few records of this rare species since the original description. Gooday, 1976 gave a thorough re-description of the 126 specimens in the Discovery Collections. Müller, 1906 originally described it under his bispinosa group, equivalent to Claus' genus Orthoconchoecia. However, Poulsen, 1973 placed it in a new genus Gaussicia. Gooday, 1976 while not accepting the validity of Poulsen's new genus acknowledged it to be closely related to C. gaussi (Conchoecia gaussi).
Distribution
Recorded from all oceans. Most records from <40°latitude. In the North Atlantic most abundant at 18°-30°N at depths of 500-2000m; females occupy the upper part of this range and males and juveniles occur mostly >1250m. Gooday, 1976 recorded two juveniles at 60°N 20°W at 1500-2000m. 1,3 (R.R.S. Discovery Map).
Type specimens
None designated, status of original material unknown. Gooday, 1976 deposited examples of his material dissected on slides in the British Museum (Natural History); BM(NH)1974.751 and 752.
Type locality
Original material described from three stations in the equatorial Indian Ocean at 1°57'S, 73°19'E; 4°38'S, 51°16'E and 26°03'S, 93°43'E.