Image Key > Copepoda > Cyclopoida
Cyclopoida Burmeister 1834
Select from one of the following Families:
Taxonomy
| Phylum |
Arthropoda |
| Subphylum |
Crustacea |
| Class |
Maxillopoda |
| Subclass |
Copepoda |
| Order |
Cyclopoida |
Distinguishing characteristics
- Antennules of a medium length.
- Thorax wider than the abdomen.
- Articulation between thoracic segments 5 and 6.
- Fifth leg is uniramous.
- Possess mandibles for biting and chewing.
Distribution
- Worldwide.
- Mainly sediment dwellers. Although, some species are planktonic temporarily and only some are truly holoplanktonic.
Ecology
- Mainly predaceous.
- Mainly feed on detritus and protists attached to sediment grains.
- Embryos are carried as paired or single sacs attached to abdominal somite.
- Larval development metamorphic.
- Some species are parasitic.
|
