Cleantis prismatica (Risso, 1826)
Synonyms
Zenobia prismatica Risso, 1826
Status:
Native
ID Difficulty
Identification
Cleantis prismatica is a cylindrical marine isopod up to 15 mm with short antennae that typically lives in a case made of plant stems (e.g. Zostera or Posidonia) or worm tubes (e.g. of Spirobranchus). It uses its small 4th pereopods to cling on to the tube and has a rounded pleotelson which is used to close the tube end. There are three full somites on the pleotelson and a partial 4th one, and the pleon is fringed with setae.
Distribution and Habitat
Found in tubes made of plant stems (e.g. Zostera or Posidonia) or worm tubes (e.g. of Spirobranchus). It has mostly been recorded in western and south-west Britain and the Channel Islands, though there are also records from eastern Britain.
References
Naylor, E. & A. Brandt. 2015. Intertidal Marine Isopods. Synopses of the British Fauna (New Series), No. 3. Field Studies Council, for The Linnean Society of London.
BRC code
656