Tantulocarida


Tantulocarida is a highly specialised group of parasitic crustaceans that consists of about 33 species, treated as a subclass of the class Hexanauplia. They are typically ectoparasites that infest copepods, isopods, tanaids, amphipods and ostracods.

Description

Body length

Members of this subclass are minute – less than 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. One tantulocarid species, Tantulacus dieteri, is the world's smallest arthropod, with a total body length of only.

Life cycle

The tantulocarid life cycle is unique. It does not follow the usual moulting cycle of all crustaceans; instead, the mature adult actually develops within an attached parasitic tantulus larva.

Classification

Five families are recognised:
Basipodellidae Boxshall & Lincoln, 1983:
Doryphallophoridae Huys, 1991:
Microdajidae Boxshall & Lincoln, 1987:
Deoterthridae Boxshall & Lincoln, 1987:
Onceroxenidae Huys, 1991: