Lekanesphaera


Lekanesphaera is a genus of isopods in the family Sphaeromatidae. It was split off from Sphaeroma by Karl Wilhelm Verhoeff, 1943. The type species is L. monodi. Other well-studied species are L. glabella, L. rugicauda, and L. hookeri. Because they inhabit intertidal zones such as estuaries, their adaptation to diurnal variations in factors such as salinity are often studied.

Cladogram

Lekanesphaera cladogram from the Catalogue of Life

''Lekanesphaera rugicauda''

Lekanesphaera rugicauda, also called a "sea slater," is found in estuaries ranging from the Baltic, down to the Netherlands and British Isles, and south to the Bay of Biscay. It is best found in the upper intertidal of brackish waters, such as salt marsh pools, under rocks and wood.