Epicaridea
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Epicaridea is a suborder of isopods. They are ectoparasites that inhabit other crustaceans, namely ostracods, copepods, cirripedes, and malacostracans. The suborder is found globally. About 704 species have been recorded. Epicaridea are generally less well researched than other isopods [1].
There is a high degree of sexual dimorphism within the order. The female is commonly very asymmetrical, often losing segmentation. Two pairs of rudimentary antennae are carried on the head. Mouthparts show little development, with only mandibles and maxilliepeds present, sometimes with a second pair of rudimentary maxillae. Males are of smaller size than females and of different appearance. Development is through regressive metamorphosis, undergoing two or three larval stages [2].
[edit] Classification
Eleven families are currently recognised within the suborder Epicaridea, divided into two superfamilies [3].
- Superfamily Bopyroidea Rafinesque, 1815
- Bopyridae Rafinesque, 1815
- Dajidae Giard & Bonnier, 1887
- Entoniscidae Kossmann, 1881
- Superfamily Cryptoniscoidea Kossmann, 1880
- Asconiscidae Bonnier, 1900
- Cabiropidae Giard & Bonnier, 1887
- Crinoniscidae Bonnier, 1900
- Cryptoniscidae Kossmann, 1880
- Cyproniscidae Bonnier, 1900
- Fabidae Danforth, 1963
- Hemioniscidae Bonnier, 1900
- Podasconidae Bonnier, 1900
[edit] References
- ^ Brian Morton (Sep 2003). Perspectives on Marine Environmental Change in Hong Kong and Southern China, 1977-2001. Hong Kong University Press, 152. ISBN 9-622-09641-7.
- ^ Harriet Richardson (1905). A Monograph on the Isopods of North America. Government Printing Office, 497 pp.
- ^ Joel W. Martin & George E. Davis (2001). An Updated Classification of the Recent Crustacea, 132 pp.
