Tropical Calanoid Copepod [Tortanus tropicalis]
Description
This species is found in the warm waters of the tropics, particularly in the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico. It is characterized by its bright coloration, which ranges from yellow to red, and its relatively large size. It feeds on phytoplankton and small invertebrates, and plays an important role in the marine food web.
Taxonomy
| Phylum |
Arthropods
Arthropoda
|
|---|---|
| Class |
Copepods
Copepoda
|
| Order |
Calanoida
Calanoida
|
| Family |
Centropagidae
Centropagidae
|
| Genus |
Tortanus
Tortanus
|