Parasitic Copepod from Ocean Sunfish (Mola mola)

A parasitic copepod that was associated with an ocean sunfish (Mola mola). Here, the copepod is backlit and focus-stacked in order to reveal the animal’s inner structure. The long appendage visible at the posterior of the copepod is one of two original appendages. The other appendage fell off during capture. Pictured here, the remaining appendage is split in two, such that the top and bottom halves are visible. The slits in these appendages carried juvenile copepods in various stages of development. This copepod is from the family Caligidae (possibly Caligus sp. or Lepeoptheirus sp.),

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Filename: copepod-parasite-mola-sunfish-south-africa-201711-2252-2273.tif
Copyright: Copyright Tony Wu. All rights reserved. No duplication, reproduction or usage without prior written permission.
Image Size: 5411x3607 / 55.9MB; https://www.photoshelter.com/support/license#rm; https://www.tony-wu.com/contact-tony-wu; Crustacean Copepod Animalia Arthropoda Crustacea Maxillopoda Copepoda Siphonostomatoida Caligidae Sea Louse Caligus sp. Lepeoptheirus sp. Parasite Atlantic Ocean South Africa Backlighting Focus Stacking
Contained in galleries: Crustaceans, Marine Life | South Africa

A parasitic copepod that was associated with an ocean sunfish (Mola mola). Here, the copepod is backlit and focus-stacked in order to reveal the animal’s inner structure. The long appendage visible at the posterior of the copepod is one of two original appendages. The other appendage fell off during capture. Pictured here, the remaining appendage is split in two, such that the top and bottom halves are visible. The slits in these appendages carried juvenile copepods in various stages of development. This copepod is from the family Caligidae (possibly Caligus sp. or Lepeoptheirus sp.),