Northern Pacific sea louse [Lepeophtheirus cuneifer]
Description
The Northern Pacific sea louse is a parasitic copepod that infests the body surface of marine fish. It is found in the northern Pacific Ocean and is particularly harmful to the Pink salmon populations. The adults are easily recognized by their slim, elongated bodies and the two long, curved egg strings extending from the rear of females.
Taxonomy
| Phylum |
Arthropods
Arthropoda
|
|---|---|
| Class |
Copepods
Copepoda
|
| Order |
Siphonostomatoida
Siphonostomatoida
|
| Family |
Caligidae
Caligidae
|
| Genus |
Sea Lice
Lepeophtheirus
|