Iphigenella acanthopoda G.O. Sars, 1896

Synonyms: None

Common names: Russ: Ifiginella koluchkonogaya; Ukr: Ifiginella kolyuchkonoga

Order: AMPHIPODA

Family: GAMMARIDAE

Taxonomic descriptions: One of the 3 species of the endemic Black-Caspian Seas genus. Propoduses of I-V pereiopods are half nipping claw shaped; the claw is very short, slightly longer than the width; the lower ventral corner of the third epimeral plate is elongated and sharp.

IUCN Status:
    World level: VU (Endemic of the Azov-Black Sea basin)
    Black Sea Regional level: VU
    Subregion level: VU (Ukrainian sector)

Distribution: Inhabits the lower reaches of the Danube, Dniestr, Dniepr and South Bug including the Dnieprovsky, Dniepr-Bug and Kuchurgansky limans. Encountered in rivers of the Sea of Azov. Range includes the Caspian Sea basin.

Habitats type, Critical habitats, Limiting factors: Fresh water and brackish parts of limans, deltas and rivers. The main biotopes are silty-sandy, silty-rocky and muddy-sandy sediment.

Biology: Oligohaline and freshwater species tolerant to significant variations in water temperature. Inhabits as a rule the coastal zone of water bodies. Commensal with the river crawfish Astacus leptodactylus. Adults organisms have a length 8-9 mm.

Population trends: Low abundance (1-3 ind/m²).

Threats: Water pollution, erosion of shores.

Conservation measures taken: Included in Red Data Books of Ukraine and the Black Sea.

Conservation measures proposed: Reduction in Black Sea coastal zone pollution. Study of biological peculiarities of the species, protection of characteristic biotopes, including the Danube, Dniestr and Don deltas.

References:

1. Polischuk, V.V., 1994. Iphigenella acanthopoda. Chervona Knyga Ukrayiny (Red Data Book of Ukraine). Kijiv: Ukrajinska enciklopediya Publ., p. 46 (in Ukrainian).
2. Opredelitel fauny Chernogo i Azovskogo morey (Key of Black Sea and Sea of Azov fauna). Kiev, Naukova dumka Publ., v. 2, 536 pp.(in Russian).

Compiled by: B.Alexandrov