Paramelitidae Bousfield, 1977

Myers, A, 2013, A Phylogeny and Classification of the Senticaudata subord. nov. (Crustacea: Amphipoda), Zootaxa 3610 (1), pp. 1-80 : 50-51

Paramelitidae Bousfield, 1977

Type genus. Paramelita Schellenberg, 1926

Diagnostic description. Body laterally compressed. Eyes well developed or absent, if present then round, ovoid or reniform. Antennae 1–2 calceoli crangonyctoid (type 9). Antenna 1 subequal in length to, or longer than antenna 2; peduncular article 1 subequal to, or longer than article 2; article 2 longer than article 3; article 3 shorter than article 1; peduncular articles 1–2 not geniculate; accessory flagellum short. Antenna 2 peduncular article 1 enlarged, bulbous. Mandible molar triturative; palp symmetrical. Maxilla 1 basal endite setose along medial margin or apically setose; palps symmetrical. Maxilla 2 basal endite with or without oblique setal row. Coxal gills on pereopods 2–6, stalked (without proximal restriction) or not stalked; sternal gills present or sternal gills absent, simple; sternal blisters absent; oostegites fringing setae simple. Gnathopod 1 subchelate; similar or dissimilar in males and females (sexually dimorphic or not); smaller (or weaker) than or similar in size to gnathopod 2; propodus palm without robust setae along palmar margin. Gnathopod 2 subchelate; similar or dissimilar in males and females (sexually dimorphic or not); carpus slightly produced along posterior margin of propodus or not produced along posterior margin of propodus, projecting between merus and propodus. Pereopods 3–4 not sexually dimorphic. Pereopod 4 with well developed posteroventral lobe or with small posteroventral lobe or without posteroventral lobe. Pereopod 5 shorter than pereopod 6; coxa with posteroventral lobe or with large anteroventral lobe or with small anteroventral lobe. Pereopod 7 subequal in length to, or longer than pereopod 5. Pleonites 1–3 without dorsal carinae. Urosomites 1–3 free; with slender or robust dorsal setae. Urosomite 1 with large distoventral robust seta. Urosomite 2 with or with multiple slender setae across the somite. Uropod 1 without basofacial robust setae. Uropod 3 not sexually dimorphic; biramous, without plumose setae; endopod minute or shorter than exopod. Telson deeply cleft , moderately cleft or entire ; dorsal or lateral robust setae present or absent; apical robust setae present.

Habitat. Freshwater, epigean and hypogean.

Included genera. Antipodeus Williams & Barnard, 1988 ; Aquadulcaris Stewart & Griffiths, 1995 ; Austrocrangonyx Barnard & Karaman, 1984; Austrogammarus Barnard & Karaman, 1984; Chydaekata Bradbury, 2000 ; Hurleya Straškraba, 1966 ; Kruptus Finston, Johnson & Knott, 2008 ; Mathamelita Stewart & Griffiths, 1995 ; Molina Bradbury, 2000 ; Paramelita Schellenberg, 1926 ; Pilbarus Bradbury & Williams, 1997 ; Protocrangonyx Nicholls, 1926 ; Totgammarus Bradbury & Williams, 1995 ; Toulrabia Barnard & Williams, 1995 . Distribution. Australia, South Africa.