The appendages of Lophoura tetraphylla Ho, 1985 (Copepoda: Sphyriidae) a parasite of Antimora rostrata in deep waters of the northwest Atlantic Ocean

Abstract

The detailed structure of the cephalothoracic appendages of Lophoura rerraphylla, a parasitic cope pod of Antimora rostrata, are described. The first and second antennae possess a structure similar to that reported for other genera in the family Sphyriidae. The morphology of the mandible of L. tetraphylla is discussed in relation to other previous descriptions of this appendage. Lophoura tetraphylla, like other members of the family, is shown to exhibit extensive regressive metamorphosis of the appendages during the mesoparasitic stage of its life cycle.