Monstrilloids [Monstrillidae]

Description

Monstrillidae is the sole family within the order Monstrilloida, encompassing a unique group of copepods. These marine copepods are known for their parasitic larval stage, which infests a wide range of marine invertebrates. Adult Monstrillidae are free-living and characterized by their lack of a functional mouth and gut, a feature that distinguishes them from most other copepods. They have a distinctive appearance with large, bulbous heads, and their bodies may exhibit various degrees of transparency. These copepods are found in oceans worldwide, from shallow coastal waters to the deep sea. They play a significant role in marine ecosystems, both as parasites in their juvenile stages and as part of the zooplankton community as adults.

Genera

Taxonomy