Epacteriscidae

Epacteriscidae
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Copepoda
Order:	Calanoida
Family:	Epacteriscidae

Epacteriscidae is a family of copepods belonging to the order Calanoida. ^[1] Unlike most members of the order which are planktonic, epacteriscids are typically found in anchialine and marine caves. ^[2]

Description

Epacteriscids are characterized by several primitive features but are highly specialized for life in subterranean environments. They are notable within the order Calanoida for having mouthparts, specifically the maxilliped and maxilla, that are modified for a predatory or scavenging lifestyle rather than filter feeding. ^[3]

Distribution

The family has a wide but fragmented distribution, with species recorded from caves in the Caribbean, Bermuda, and the Indo-Pacific region. This distribution is of significant interest in biogeography, as it may reflect the historical movement of crustacean populations through ancient seaways. ^[4]

Genera

Genera: ^{[1] [5]}

• Azygonectes Fosshagen & Iliffe, 2004
• Balinella Fosshagen, Boxshall & Iliffe, 2001
• Bofuriella Fosshagen, Boxshall & Iliffe, 2001
• Edaxiella Fosshagen, Boxshall & Iliffe, 2001
• Enantiosis Barr, 1984
• Enantronia Fosshagen, Boxshall & Iliffe, 2001
• Enantronoides Fosshagen, Boxshall & Iliffe, 2001
• Epacturiscus Fosshagen, 1973
• Erebonectes Fosshagen, 1985
• Erebonectoides Fosshagen, Boxshall & Iliffe, 2001
• Gloinella Fosshagen, Boxshall & Iliffe, 2001
• Oinella Fosshagen, Boxshall & Iliffe, 2001

References

1. "Epacteriscidae". www.gbif.org. Retrieved 13 May 2021.
2. Fosshagen, Audun; Boxshall, Geoffrey A.; Iliffe, Thomas M. (2001). "The Epacteriscidae, a cave-living family of calanoid copepods". Sarsia. 86 (4–5): 245–318. Bibcode:2001Sarsi..86..245F. doi:10.1080/00364827.2001.10425520.
3. Boxshall, Geoffrey A.; Halsey, Sheila H. (2004). An Introduction to Copepod Diversity. The Ray Society. ISBN   978-0-903874-31-1.
4. Humphreys, W. F. (2000). "The Tethyan connection: the presence of anchialine fauna in the Eastward Extension of the Tethys". The biogeography of Celebes, Indonesia. pp. 103–108.
5. Fosshagen, Audun; Boxshall, Geoffrey A.; Iliffe, Thomas M. (2001-11-01). "The Epacteriscidae, a cave-living family of calanoid copepods" . Sarsia. 86 (4–5): 245–318. Bibcode:2001Sarsi..86..245F. doi:10.1080/00364827.2001.10425520. ISSN   0036-4827.