Monstrilloida [Monstrilloida]

Description

Monstrilloida is an order of copepods that have a free-living planktonic larval stage and a parasitic phase during their early development. Adults are characterized by their lack of a functional mouthpart, as they do not feed, and they have a distinctively bulbous head. They are found in a variety of marine habitats, from coastal areas to the open ocean.

Families

Taxonomy