Round 2 - Arthropoda - Tantulocarida
(Sources - 1, 2, 3)
Tantulocarida is a class of tiny crustaceans which live as ectoparasites of copepods, isopods, tanaids, amphipods, and ostracods. They contain about 33 species within 5 families.
Tantulocarida are not only the smallest crustaceans, but also the smallest arthropods: less than 0.3 millimetres in length, the smallest (Tantulacus dieteri) being less than 85 micrometres long. They have an unsegmented, sac-like thorax and a reduced abdomen. They have no eyes.
The larvae consist of a head with an “oral disc” and no appendages, a 6-segmented thorax with 6 pairs of legs, and a limbless abdomen with 1-6 segments and a telson. Their life cycle is unique in that they transform directly from a non-feeding, free-swimming larvae into an adult parasite without any moults in between. Once the larvae finds a host, it will pierce its host’s cuticle with a stylet, upon which a rootlet system grows through the hole and into the host’s tissue. The larvae will degenerate, losing all muscle mass and becoming a permanent part of the host. The adult form develops inside the larva, and can become either a free-living, non-feeding, sexually-producing male or female, or a sac-like parthenogenetic female which will release fully developed tantulus larvae (image 2). The sexually-producing females may release nauplius larvae instead. Not much else is known about these bizarre crustaceans!
How do you feel about Tantulocarida? (Remember to vote for your favorite animal within this group, not how you feel about the group as a whole!)
One or more of my favorite animals is in Tantulocarida
I love one or more of these animals
I like one or more of these animals
I am neutral about all of these animals
I dislike all of these animals
I hate all of these animals
