Pennella [Pennella]

Description

Pennella is a genus of large, ectoparasitic copepods from the family Lernaeidae, targeting mainly marine mammals and large fish species. These parasites embed their heads into the host's flesh and have a long, filamentous body that can reach several centimeters in length. Pennella species are of interest and concern in marine biology and veterinary medicine due to their potential to harm the health of marine megafauna.