Harpacticoida - Guide to the Marine Zooplankton of south eastern Australia

guide to the marine zooplankton of south eastern Australia

Print this page

Harpacticoid copepod
[click for full]

click thumbnails for more detail

Image Key > Copepoda > Harpacticoida

Harpacticoida Sars 1903 Taxonomy

Phylum	Arthropoda
Subphylum	Crustacea
Class	Maxillopoda
Subclass	Copepoda
Order	Harpacticoida

Description

The harpacticoid order consists of over 460 genera and approximately 3,000 species.

Size

Variable

Distinguishing characteristics

Variable in body form and colour.

Distribution

Worldwide.

Additional notes

This order is not common in plankton samples as members are primarily benthic or live in association with other organisms. Few are truly planktonic.
The online version of Keys to Aid in the Identification of Marine Harpacticoid Copepods (Dr. JBJ Wells 1976) may assist in identification.


Version 1.0: June 2008 \| http://www.tafi.org.au/zooplankton/ \| Photographs © Anita Slotwinski (unless otherwise specified) © 2008 Tasmanian Aquaculture & Fisheries Institute \| ABN 30 764 374 782 \| Disclaimer \| Site Map \| Design by Twist Media