Sphaeromatidae (marine pillbug family) is a family of isopods, often encountered on rocky shores and in shelf waters in temperate zones.[1] The family includes almost 100 genera and 619 known marine species (and about 65 in fresh water). Within these genera, there are groups that share distinctive morphologies; further research may reclassify these genus-groups as separate families.[2]
Many species have a dorsoventrally compressed body shape, often with a vaulted dorsum, and some are strongly flattened (scale-like).[2]
Sphaeromatidae are browsers or detritus feeders. Xynosphaera appear to have incisory mandibles;[2] Xynosphaera colemani burrows into the tissue of alcyonacean corals.[3] Some genera of Sphaeromatidae associate with sponges, particularly Oxinasphaera.[4]
The family contains the following genera:[5]
Lekanesphaera rugicauda ? Sphaeromatidae (marine pillbug family) is a family of isopods, often encountered on rocky shores and in shelf waters in temperate zones. The family includes almost 100 genera and 619 known marine species (and about 65 in fresh water). Within these genera, there are groups that share distinctive morphologies; further research may reclassify these genus-groups as separate families.
