Iais Explained

Iais is a genus of isopod crustaceans. Iais species are found in association with larger isopods of the family Sphaeromatidae, usually on the ventral surface of the larger animal, between the pereiopods and on the pleopods.^[1] They are native to Australasia and South America, although Iais californica and its host Sphaeroma quoyanum have invaded California, and I. californica was first described from Sausalito, California.^[2] Nine species are recognised:^[3]

• Iais aquilei Coineau, 1977
• Iais californica (H. Richardson, 1904)
• Iais chilensis (Winkler, 1992)
• Iais elongata Sivertsen & Holthuis, 1980
• Iais floridana Kensley & Schotte, 1999
• Iais pubescens (Dana, 1853)
• Iais singaporensis Menzies & Barnard, 1951
• Iais solangae Coineau, 1985

Notes and References

1. D. E. Hurley . The New Zealand species of Iais (Crustacea Isopoda) . Transactions and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New Zealand . 83 . 1955 . 4 . 715–719 .
2. George Rotramel . Iais californica and Sphaeroma quoyanum, two symbiotic isopods introduced to California (Isopoda, Janiridae and Sphaeromatidae) . . 1972 . Suppl. 3 . 193–197 . PDF. 25027422.
3. Iais . 174993 . 17 March 2024.