Tantulocarida | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Subphylum: | Crustacea |
Class: | Maxillopoda |
Subclass: | Tantulocarida G. A. Boxshall & R. J. Lincoln, 1983 [1] |
Families | |
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Tantulocarida is a highly specialised group of parasitic crustaceans that consists of about 33 species, treated as a subclass of the class Maxillopoda (copepods and barnacles). They are typically ectoparasites that infest copepods, isopods, tanaids, amphipods and ostracods.[2] Members of this subclass are minute — less than 0.3 millimetres (0.012 in) in length and have a dramatic reduction in body form compared to other crustaceans, with an unsegmented sac-like thorax and a much reduced abdomen.[3] One tantulocarid species, Tantulacus dieteri, is the world's smallest arthropod, with a total body length of only 85 micrometres (0.0033 in).[4]
Four families are recognised:[5]
Basipodellidae Boxshall & Lincoln, 1983:[6]
Doryphallophoridae Huys, 1991:[7]
Microdajidae Boxshall & Lincoln, 1987:[8]
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Deoterthridae Boxshall & Lincoln, 1987:[9]
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