Family RHYNCHOMOLGIDAE Humes & Stock, 1972
Compiler and date details
30 June 2007 - Walker-Smith, G.K., Cook, K.N. & Chilton-Lahey, K.L.
- Rhynchomolgidae Humes & Stock, 1972.
Type genus:
Rhynchomolgus Humes & Ho, 1967.Compiled from secondary source:
Boxshall, G.A. & Halsey, S.H. 2004. An Introduction to Copepod Diversity. London : The Ray Society 966 pp. [640]; Humes, A.G. & Boxshall, G.A. 1996. A revision of the lichomolgoid complex (Copepoda: Poecilostomatoida), with the recognition of six new families. Journal of Natural History 30: 175-227 [203].
Introduction
Most rhynchomolgids are cnidarian associates, although some species of Critomolgus and Doridicola have non-cnidarian hosts. The family comprises 43 genera, and over 230 known species. See Boxshall & Halsey (2004: 640) for more details as well as a key to the genera.
Database Notes
Hosts
This is a very large family, comprising 41 genera and in excess of 225 species, the great majority of these living in association with cnidarians. The numbers of species per genus and the host utilised are listed in Humes & Boxshall (1996: table 3). Most genera are associated with one particular host group within the Cnidaria but a few of the larger genera have utilised a wide range of hosts. Non-cnidarian hosts are utilised only by species of Critomolgus and Doridicola. These hosts are shown in bold in the table and include various groups of molluscs, echinoderms and sponges (see Humes & Boxshall 1996: 209).
ID Keys
For keys to the genera see Humes & Boxshall (1996) and Boxshall & Halsey (2004).
General References
Boxshall, G.A. & Halsey, S.H. 2004. An Introduction to Copepod Diversity. London : The Ray Society 966 pp.