Mormonilloid [Mormonilla]

Description

Mormonilla is the sole genus within the family Mormonillidae, belonging to the order Mormonilloida of the subclass Copepoda. These tiny marine copepods are distinguished by their unique morphology and life cycle. The adult females of this genus are characterized by their reduced thorax and the absence of a cephalothorax, with the body being divided into a prosome and a urosome. The males are even more reduced in size and complexity, which is typical for many copepod species where sexual dimorphism is evident. Mormonilla species are planktonic and are found in oceans around the world, where they play a role in the marine food web, primarily as a food source for other marine organisms. Despite their small size, they are significant due to their abundance in marine ecosystems. The genus includes species such as Mormonilla phasma, which has been studied for its unusual reproductive and developmental traits.

Species

Mormonilloid Copepod [Mormonilloida Indica]

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Taxonomy