Lepechinellidae, a valid amphipod family name (Crustacea, Amphipoda)

The family Lepechinellidae has had a complex history; described under two names, subsumed into the Dexaminidae, resurrected, and most recently treated as a subfamily within the Atylidae (Lowry & Myers 2017). Lepechinellidae, based on Lepechinella Stebbing, 1908 was raised by Schellenberg (1926) to replace Dorbanellidae Schellenberg, 1925 based on Dorbanella Chevreux, 1914. The family name Lepechinellidae was used in at least ten publications until Barnard (1970) transferred the two included genera, Lepechinella and Paralepechinella Pirlot, 1933, to the Dexamininae. This arrangement was accepted tacitly or overtly by subsequent authors until Bousfield and Kendall (1994) recognized the unique nature of Lepechinella and allied genera and grouped them as Lepechinellinae within the Atylidae. Andres & Brandt (2001) provided evidence to justify recognition at the family level but Lowry & Myers (2017) reverted to the Bousfield & Kendall (1994) position. Jim Lowry (pers. comm.) recognises that the Andres & Brandt (2001) paper was not consulted by Lowry & Myers (2017) and that recognition of the family Lepechinellidae is justified.