Argulidae
The family Argulidae, whose members are commonly known as carp lice or fish lice, are parasitic crustaceans in the class Ichthyostraca. It is the only family in the monotypic subclass Branchiura and the order Arguloida, although a second family, Dipteropeltidae, has been proposed.
Taxonomy
Branchiurans were once thought to be copepods but are now recognised as a separate subclass in the superclass Oligostraca due to their distinct morphological characteristics. There are approximately 170 species in four genera recognised in the family Branchiura. The centres of diversity are the Afrotropical and Neotropical realms.Description
Branchiurans have a flattened, oval body, which is almost entirely covered by a broad, oval carapace, four thoracic segments each with a pair of swimming legs, a pair of anterior compound eyes, and an unsegmented abdomen without appendages which ends in paired abdominal lobes separated by the medial anal cleft. They are compressed dorsoventrally and can vary in size from just a few millimetres to over long, with females usually somewhat larger than the males.The mandibles are generally toothed hooks in Branchiurans. The maxillules provide sucking capability, and in the genera Argulus, Chonopeltis, and Dipteropeltis, the adults have a pair of suction cups that are from modified first maxillae. The genus Dolops, keeps the larval stages claw-like appendages into adulthood. It is still unknown whether the ancestral state of these organisms had suction discs or the hooked condition seen in Dolops, although it is thought that the specialized suctions discs are a later product of evolution. Also, females tend to be larger than the males. Between the genera there are multiple distinction between the sexes. For example, males in Argulus and Chonopeltis possess secondary sexual modifications on legs 2–4. The sexes both have their own sexual reproductive organs on their abdomens. The females have a spermathecae, while the males have a pair of testes.
Their compound eyes are prominent, and the mouthparts and the first pair of antennae are modified to form a hooked, spiny proboscis armed with suckers, as an adaptation to parasitic life. They have four pairs of thoracic appendages, which are used to swim when not attached to the host.
Not much research has been done on the respiratory system, which lacks gills, but respiratory areas on the carapace and gas exchange through the fleshy abdomen has been suggested.
Distribution and habitat
Branchiurans are widely distributed throughout the world. Most species are found in Africa and South America, and none are found in Antarctica. In North America, the genus Argulus is the only one known to be found in freshwater ecosystems.Behaviour and ecology
Parasitism
Branchiurans are obligate ectoparasites that are found primarily on marine and freshwater fish, but can also be found on other aquatic organisms such as invertebrates, salamanders, tadpoles and alligators. Some species feed on the blood of their host, while others feed on mucus and extracellular material. Feeding is facilitated by distinct morphological adaptations. Branchiura are able to attach to hosts through two mechanisms, hooked maxillae or suction disks. After engorging themselves, the parasites typically wait two to three weeks before feeding again.Mitigation of these parasites has been studied through the use of a treatment containing plant parts. From this study, it is thought that Tobacco leaf dust can safely and effectively eliminate adult Branchiurans from fish, although this may be specific to only Argulus bengalensis.