Tantulocarida
| Tantulocarida | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Crustacea |
| Class: | Maxillopoda |
| Subclass: |
Tantulocarida G. A. Boxshall & R. J. Lincoln, 1983 |
| Families | |
Tantulocarida is a highly specialised group of parasitic crustaceans that consists of about 33 species, treated as a subclass of the class Maxillopoda (copepods and barnacles). They are typically ectoparasites that infest copepods, isopods, tanaids, amphipods and ostracods. Members of this subclass are minute – less than 0.3 millimetres (0.012 in) 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 85 micrometres (0.0033 in).
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.
Five families are recognised:
Basipodellidae Boxshall & Lincoln, 1983:
Doryphallophoridae Huys, 1991:
Microdajidae Boxshall & Lincoln, 1987:
Deoterthridae Boxshall & Lincoln, 1987:
Onceroxenidae Huys, 1991:
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