Family ERGASILIDAE Von Nordmann, 1832

Ergasilus longipalpus

© Copyright after Wilson 1913.

Museums

Regional Maps

• Ergasilidae Nordmann, A.V. 1832. Mikrographische Beiträge zur Naturgeschichte der wirbellosen Thiere. Berlin : G. Reimer Vol. 1 pp. i-x, 2:i-xviii: 1-118, 1-150 [1].

  Type genus:

   Ergasilus Von Nordmann, 1832.

  Compiled from secondary source:

   Boxshall, G.A. & Halsey, S.H. 2004. An Introduction to Copepod Diversity. London : The Ray Society 966 pp. [534].

Introduction

The majority of ergasilids inhabit fresh water, although some species do occur in estuarine or coastal marine habitats. Only the adult females are parasitic, the males are free-living. Most females are parasites of actinopterygian fishes, usually found attached to the gill filaments, although some species have been located on other areas of the fish, such as the fins or nasal fossae. Twenty-five genera are recognised, and over 200 species. There are also three genera inquirenda. See Boxshall & Halsey (2004: 534) 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.