Eucrenonaspides oinotheke

Eucrenonaspides oinotheke is a type of crustacean and part of the Anaspidacea order. Eucrenonaspides oinotheke has its own unique structure that encompasses a head and thorax. These do not have a shieldlike carapace and the first thoracic segment is tightly joined with the head. They also have pairs of maxillipeds, and thoracic limbs associated with the mouth. The head of Eucrenonaspides oinotheke is sub-rectangular and divided into two unequal regions by transverse mandibular grooves. Each side of the head is a mandibular groove which meet in the midline. These mandibular groove's pass obliquely backward to a level near the posterior margin of the head and defines an inferior plate. Eucrenonaspides oinotheke's head appendages and the antennule, a small antenna in a crustacean, includes a peduncle of three segments, a comparatively robust outer flagellum which is approximately half the total body length. Further, the antennule comprises a peduncle of three segments, a comparatively robust outer flagellum which is approximately half the total body length. There is a side boundary of the large basal segment which is curved convexly at the base. The male antennule available for study does not show a sensory modification on the basal outer flagellum segment, but all specimens have a small, triangular projection on the dorsal margin of this segment which supports a long seta. …

Eucrenonaspides oinotheke is part of crustacean fauna and a larger species of the Anaspidaceans. Their main habitat is caves, cave streams, lakes and terrestrial woodlice along with millipede located in Tasmania. They are predominantly found in drip pools, seepages and similar habitats out of the main flow of water. However, Eucrenonaspides oinotheke do not exist in groundwaters of the mainland. Eucrenonaspides oinotheke in particular was found near the centre of a large town, the spring at Payton Place, Devonport. Although springs are common in and about Devonport, particularly in areas of basalt substrates, efforts to find other sources of the species or related forms have proved unsuccessful. The distribution of Psammaspids and thus Eucrenonaspides oinotheke are only known to occur at 3 widely separated localities of New South Wales, Tasmania and Camperdown, Western Victoria. This has shown the family of the Psammaspids were once, distributed across the whole of southern Australia. This area experienced a wet climate, that could stem from the Triassic until midway through the Tertiary, although part of this area was inundated by marine transgressions during the early Cretaceous. Subsequently, there is a chance that they may be found elsewhere in southern Australia, such as in springs in Western Australia.

Eucrenonaspides oinotheke use their thoractic legs to crawl in their habitat which constantly circulates oxygen-carrying water over their flaplike gills. Their thoracic and abdominal limbs move together in a smooth, rhythmic motion. They are not strong swimmers, in its place they typically walk over the substrate. The exopods of the thoracic legs are in constant motion to circulate fresh, oxygen-bearing water past the flattened epipods. When they are startled, they are capable of jumping upwards. Males and females are known, but there is no research on mating. Unlike most crustaceans that carry their eggs or young, female Anaspidaceans and thus Eucrenonaspides oinotheke lay their eggs individually on plants or stones. Subsequently, they do not guard or provide care for their young. The eggs hatch between 30 and 60 days as larvae that encompass antennae and mouthparts only. Adulthood is reached through a series of molts, or sheddings of the exoskeleton and appendages are added with each molt. The eggs are attached to bits of bark or plant or laid in crevices where in living forms, development is slow. Eggs are laid in spring or early summer and take 32–35 weeks to hatch; those laid in the fall take 60 weeks to hatch because of a period of winter inactivity. There are two peaks occur for hatching: April–May and July–August. …

Eucrenonaspides oinotheke came from a ground spring in a house wine cellar at 6 Payton Place, Devonport. Researchers from the San Diego Natural History Museum tried to recollect this locality in 1990 however due to a drought sighting was found difficult and further research on the history of Eucrenonaspides oinotheke is unknown.

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