THE GNATHOSTENETROIDEA AND THE EVOLUTION OF PRIMITIVE ASELLOTE ISOPODS

SUMMARY The systematic position of the Gnathostenetroidea is revised with reference to the other superfamilies of Asellote isopods. An attempt is made to reconstruct the evolution of the sub-order Asellota. The role of the Gnathostenetroidea as a link between Stenetroidea and Janiroidea is emphasized, while the hypothesis that they may have given rise to Stenasellidae or to Asellidae is rejected. The taxonomic position of fresh-water subterranean genera is discussed. These genera, Protojanira Barnard and Protojaniroides n.gen., are placed into new family Protonjaniridae n.fam. The marine genera, Gnathostenetroides Amar, Caecostenetroides Fresi & Schiecke and Maresiella Fresi & Scipione, are grouped into a second family, the Gnathostenetroidae n.fam.