Family ASTEROCHERIDAE Giesbrecht, 1899

Myzopontius australis

© Copyright after Nicholls 1944.

Museums

Regional Maps

• Asterocheridae Giesbrecht, 1899.

  Type genus:

   Asterocheres Boeck, 1859.

  Compiled from secondary source:

   Boxshall, G.A. & Halsey, S.H. 2004. An Introduction to Copepod Diversity. London : The Ray Society 966 pp. [714].

Introduction

Species of the family Asterocheridae are both external and internal associates, and parasites of marine invertebrates. Most asterocherids are associated with sponges, cnidarians and echinoderms, although some have other hosts, such as ascidians and molluscs, whilst for others species are unknown. Fifty-five genera are recognised, and over 100 species. Additionally, there is one genus inquirendum. See Boxshall & Halsey (2004: 722) for more details as well as a key to the genera.

ID Keys

For a key to the genera see Boxshall & Halsey (2004).

General References

Boxshall, G.A. & Halsey, S.H. 2004. An Introduction to Copepod Diversity. London : The Ray Society 966 pp.