Stomatopod Taxonomy

Classification of the Stomatopods

Order Stomatopoda Latreille, 1817

Carapace shallow, leaving 4 thoracic somites uncovered. Two moveable somites in head, bearing stalked eyes and the antennules. Second thoracic limbs form massive grasping organs. Abdomen large, with large pleopods bearing branchial filaments. Translation: Its carapace is much shorter than that in lobsters or shrimps, which makes its rear part look much longer. The second large pair of "legs" are massively developed into spearlike or clublike structures and held close to the body, underneath the head and thorax. It has respiratory organs in its abdominal region (on the "swimmerets"), unlike others where these are in the thoracic region. Note that the old classification scheme had the order divided into only four families.

Thanks to Shane Ahyong for a reprint of his work (Ahyong S. 1997. Phylogenetic analysis of the stomatopoda (Malacostraca). J Crust Biol 17(4),695-715), on which the following classification is based. All the diagnosis are from Manning's 1995 work Stomatopod Crustacea of Vietnam: The Legacy of Raoul Serène. Crustacean Research, special number 4. The Carcinological Society of Japan, Tokyo, 339 p. (a must book for any serious stomatopod researcher). This section is arranged such that links lead to ever more detailed information on each of the superfamilies, families, etc. At this time, I will only have time to include info down to the superfamily (I did not scan these in --- I TYPED them in).

1. Superfamily Lysiosquilloidea Giesbrecht, 1910
   • This superfamily includes some of the largest known stomatopods, many of whom are flattened burrowers with elaborate spear-type appendages. These are largely absent from the marine trade, although I have seen trade books that showed examples of these in home aquaria.
   • Diagnosis: middle band of cornea 6 facets wide. Propodi of posterior 3 maxillipeds broader than long, beaded or ribbed ventrally.Telson lacking distinct median carina dorsally, usually with broad median boss evident posteriorly. At most, submedian teeth of telson with moveable apices.
2. Superfamily Erythrosquilloidea Manning and Bruce. 1984
   • This group has only one single family, with one single genus, which contains a single species. The whole thing is based on examination of a single specimen. Talk about being unique.
   • Diagnosis: cornea lacking middle band. Propodi of third and fourth maxillipeds broad, beaded or ribbed ventrally. Telson with sharp dorsal median carina.
3. Superfamily Gonodactyloidea Giesbrecht, 1910
   • This superfamily contains some of the most well-known stomatopods around, including Odontodactylus and Gonodactylus. It has a preponderance of smasher types, and if there is any one group that marine aquarists would want to wish out of existence, this would be it.
   • Diagnosis: middle band of cornea 6 facets wide. Propodi of posterior 3 maxillipeds slender, not beaded or ribbed ventrally. Telson with distinct median carina. At most, submedian teeth of telson with moveable apices. Telson with no more than 2 intermediate denticles on each side.
4. Superfamily Bathysquillidoidea Manning, 1967
   • These are deep water stomatopods whose life styles are pretty much shrouded in mystery. Last I read, no living specimen has actually been studied.
   • Diagnosis: Cornea lacking middle band. Propodi of third and fourth maxillipeds slender, not beaded or ribbed ventrally. Telson with distinct median carina. All marginal teeth of telson with moveable spines.
5. Superfamily Squilloidea Latreille. 1803
   • The other superfamily with relatively well-known members. These are spearers who chose to burrow in soft substrates, and whose members include some of the largest stomatopods around.
   • Diagnosis: Middle band of cornea two facets wide. Propodi of posterior 3 maxillipeds slender, not beaded or ribbed ventrally. Telson with distinct, usually, sharp, median carina and 4 or more intermediate marginal denticles. At most, submedian teeth of telson with movable apices.
6. Superfamily (uncertain) Ahyong 1997
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* for reference on the terms used in this classification go to Crustacean Biodiversity Survey