Abstract: | A new genus and species of marine sphaeromatid isopod is described from the North West Shelf (Indian Ocean) tropical Western Australia. Kranosphaera haptomela gen. nov. sp. nov. (Sphaeromatinae) is distinguished from other hemibranchiate genera by the strongly rugose and deeply pitted body surfaces, projecting epistome, uniramous uropodal rami, and in the male by modified pereopod 5 which is greatly expanded and 6 which has a coupling flange on the ischium. It is known only from the vicinity of the type locality. |