Superfamily CYMOTHOOIDEA Leach, 1814
Introduction
The Cymothooidea is a polyphyletic taxon which includes all predatory, parasitic, blood-sucking or scavenging cymothoidan isopods except anthuroids, bopyroids, cryptoniscoids and cirolanoids. They are best defined by the absence of the extreme mouthpart modifications and reductions seen in the first three of these superfamilies but are most similar to the Cirolanoidea. The most plesiomorphic members of most families possess an elongate maxillipedal endite, not reduced or absent as seen in Cirolanoidea.
General References
Leach, W.E. 1814. Crustaceology. In Brewster's Edinburgh Encyclopedia. Edinburgh : Blackwood et al. Vol. 7. 383-437 pp.