Anilocra haemuli is a species of parasitic isopod crustacean belonging to the family Cymothoidae. It is commonly known as a fish louse, reflecting its parasitic lifestyle on various fish species.
Description & Characteristics
Anilocra haemuli exhibits the typical isopod body shape, characterized by a dorsoventrally flattened body, with a distinct segmentation. The body is segmented into a cephalothorax, which houses the head and the first thoracic segments, and a pleon, comprising the remaining thoracic segments and the abdomen. This flattened body shape allows the parasite to move effectively within the host’s gills, skin, or buccal cavity.
Habitat and Occurrence
Anilocra haemuli typically inhabits tropical and subtropical waters. It is a prevalent presence in the marine ecosystems of the Western Atlantic, with a depth range that extends from the surface to a maximum of 100 meters (330 feet).
Taxonomy
The species Anilocra haemuli belongs to the Class: Malacostraca, Order: Isopoda, and Family: Cymothoidae. This classification highlights its relationship to other isopod species, all of which share the characteristic flattened body form and segmented appendages.
Feeding
Anilocra haemuli is a parasitic isopod, meaning it feeds on the blood and tissues of its host fish. It primarily attaches itself to the gills of its host, where it can cause damage and inflammation. This parasitic relationship is often detrimental to the host fish, especially when multiple Anilocra haemuli parasites are present.
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