Siphonostomatoida
crustacean
Quick Summary
Siphonostomatoida refers to a group of parasitic copepod crustaceans. These organisms are characterized by a mouth adapted for sucking blood, often from fish. While most copepods are free-living and play a crucial role in marine food chains, siphonostomatoids are specialized parasites. They are a type of crustacean, a broad category of arthropods that also includes crabs, lobsters, and shrimp. The term "siphonostomatous" describes having a tubular mouth, which is a key feature of these parasitic copepods.123
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