Tantulocaridans: Tantulocarida

Physical characteristics: The larvae have long appendages on the tips of their abdomens. The thoracic limbs are used for swimming; the last pair has a long, curved spine on each tip. The sac where adult males or females develop is formed behind the sixth thoracic segment. Males have an unsegmented abdomen with distinct appendages on the tip.

Geographic range: Itoitantulus misophricola (abbreviated I. misophricola) are found from the southern Japanese island of Okinawa, south to the Philippines.

Habitat: I. misophricola are external parasites on copepods living on or near the ocean bottom, at depths of 550 to 6,725 feet (167 to 2,050 meters).

Itoitantulus misophricola eat the body fluids of certain groups of copepods. (Illustration by Bruce Worden. Reproduced by permission.)

Diet: I. misophricola eat the body fluids of certain groups of copepods.

Behavior and reproduction: Nothing is known about their behavior. The unusual double life cycle of tantulocaridans was first described in this species.

Itoitantulus misophricola and people: This species does not impact people or their behaviors.

Conservation status: I. misophricola is not considered threatened or endangered. ∎