Gnathiidae
| Gnathiidae | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Male (left), female (upper right), praniza (lower right) | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Crustacea |
| Class: | Malacostraca |
| Order: | Isopoda |
| Suborder: | Cymothoida |
| Family: |
Gnathiidae Leach, 1814 |
The Gnathiidae are a family of isopod crustaceans. They occur in a wide range of depths, from the littoral zone to the deep sea. The adults are associated with sponges and may not feed. The juvenile form is known as a 'praniza' larva, and it is a temporary parasite of marine fish.
Taxonomy in the family relies on male characters, such that females and juveniles cannot be reliably identified. The family contains 182 species, divided among the following genera:
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