DETAILS

Discipline

NH: ZOOLOGY: INVERTEBRATES: CRUSTACEANS (CRABS, LOBSTER, SHRIMP, WOODLICE)

Scientific Name

Sphyrion lumpi

Common Name

Parasitic Copepod

Form

wet preserved

Dimensions

overall: 75 mm x 46 mm x 46 mm 145 g

Description

This parasitic copepod was found attached to a Norway haddock, Sebastes marinus. Although there are many fish in the museum collections there are not many parasites but these can be valuable specimens as far as researchers are concerned. This species has been found to have serious impact on fish in the North Sea with in some cases over 50% of fish infected.

Copepods are one of the most abundant creatures on this planet with a combined mass of billions of tonnes. The majority are less than 5mm in length and are an important food source for fish. However the parasitic species can grow up to 10cm long and feed on fish themselves.

ID Number

DB.3931

Location

In storage

Terms

Other Crustaceans (Branchiopoda, Ostracoda and Maxillopoda)

Other Arthropods

Zoology

Natural History

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