Mormonilloids [Mormonillidae]

Description

Mormonillidae is the sole family within the order Mormonilloida, comprising a very unique and lesser-known group of copepods. These marine copepods are distinguished by their small size, typically around 0.5 mm in length, and their highly transparent bodies, making them almost invisible in the water column. Mormonilloids are found in oceanic waters worldwide, from surface to deep sea environments. They are planktonic, living freely in the water column rather than being attached to substrates or other organisms. Their biology and ecology remain relatively understudied compared to other copepod families, partly due to their small size and transparency. They play a role in the marine food web, primarily as prey for a variety of larger planktonic and nektonic organisms.

Genera

Taxonomy