Splanchnotrophidae
The Splanchnotrophidae is a family of marine copepods. They are small crustaceans that are typically found in the plankton. Splanchnotrophidae are characterized by their long, slender bodies and their distinctive feeding apparatus. They are an important part of the marine food web, feeding on a variety of organisms, including other copepods, phytoplankton, and bacteria.
Common names
Splanchnotrophidae are not known to have common names.
Characteristics
Splanchnotrophidae are characterized by the following features:
- Long, slender bodies
- A distinctive feeding apparatus consisting of a pair of mandibles with large, sharp teeth
- A pair of maxillipeds that are used to grasp prey
- A pair of antennae that are used for sensing the environment
- A pair of swimming legs that are used for locomotion
Environments
Splanchnotrophidae are found in a variety of marine environments, including:
- The open ocean
- Coastal waters
- Estuaries