2.2.5. Sub-class 5. Copepoda

Unit 2 - Sub-phylum Crustacea

2.2.5. Sub-class 5. Copepoda

1. Fresh water or marine; free-swimming commensal or parasitic.

2. Body small, elongated, composed of a head, thorax and abdomen.

3. Carapace reduced or absent.

4. Lateral compound eyes absent: a single median eye present.

5. Antennuels and antennae well developed; used for swimming; mandibles may have palps.

6. Typical five pair of thoracic appendages of which first uniramous, the rest biramous. Sometimes a 6 th pair

uniramous, vestigial appendages present.

7. Abdomen without appendages ends in a pair of caudal styles.

8. Excretion by maxillary gland.

9. Larva is a nauplius.

This sub-class includes 8 orders

Eg. Cyclops (water flea), Ergasilus, Condracanthus, Caligus, Calanus, Monstrilla

Last modified: Tuesday, 2 August 2011, 10:34 AM