Embryonic and post-embryonic development in the parasitic copepod Ive ptychoderae (Copepoda: Iviidae): Insights into its phylogenetic position.

ABSTRACT: Parasitic copepods are frequently discovered in many marine animals, and they exhibit great species diversity with remarkable morphological adaptations to their parasitic lifestyle. Similar to their free-living relatives, parasitic copepods usually develop through complex life cycle, but they eventually transform into a modified adult form with reduced appendages. Although the life cycle and distinct larval stages have been described in a few species of parasitic copepods, particularly those infecting commercially valuable marine animals (such as fishes, oysters, and lobsters), very little is known about the developmental process of the species that transformed into extremely simplified adult body plan. This paucity also causes some difficulties when investigating the taxonomy and phylogen

SUBMITTER: Cheng YR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9990918 | biostudies-literature | 2023

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature