Parasitic Copepod Associated with Mola mola Sunfish

This is a parasite that was associated with a Mola mola ocean sunfish. It is a copepod of the family Caligidae (possibly Caligus sp. or Lepeoptheirus sp.), the carapace slightly over 1cm in length. The long appendage visible at the rear end is one of two original appendages. The other one fell off. The one that is visible is actually split into two. Each slit carried a developing juvenile copepod. There is one remaining one visible at the distal end.

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Filename: parasitic-copepod-associated-with-mola-sunfish-201711-2135-2199.tif
Copyright: Copyright Tony Wu. All rights reserved. No duplication, reproduction or usage without prior written permission.
Image Size: 5878x3919 / 65.9MB; 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 Focus Stacking
Contained in galleries: Crustaceans, Marine Life | South Africa

This is a parasite that was associated with a Mola mola ocean sunfish. It is a copepod of the family Caligidae (possibly Caligus sp. or Lepeoptheirus sp.), the carapace slightly over 1cm in length. The long appendage visible at the rear end is one of two original appendages. The other one fell off. The one that is visible is actually split into two. Each slit carried a developing juvenile copepod. There is one remaining one visible at the distal end.