EURYCOPE-BREVIROSTRIS (ISOPODA, ASELLOTA) FROM THE DEEP ARCTIC-OCEAN - REDESCRIPTION, POSTMARSUPIAL DEVELOPMENT, AND REPRODUCTIVE PATTERN

Eurycope brevirostris Hansen, 1916 (Crustacea, Isopoda, Asellota), rec ently collected in the Arctic Ocean, is redescribed and data are given on distributional patterns, postmarsupial development and reproductiv e pattern of the species. The species had been recorded from depths be tween 768 and 1588 m off western Norway and northern and northeastern Iceland, and appears to be confined to areas with water temperature < -0.4-degrees-C. Nine developmental stages were identified for the fema les and seven for the males; females seem to be able to enter second p reparatory and brooding stages. Brooding females occurred at all seaso ns but were most frequent in June and the frequency of the manca stage s decreased from June to November, indicating highest breeding intensi ty in the early summer months. Size frequency analysis indicated rapid growth in the summer months, but the growth was probably slower durin g the winter months. Time from first manca stage to minimal brooding s ize is calculated to be around 290 days. The number of embryos (stage III) in the marsupia range from 4 to 13 and increases linearly with fe male length.