Acanthochondria cornuta

Acanthochondria cornuta is a species of parasitic copepod from the northeast Atlantic Ocean, and the type species of the genus Acanthochondria.[1] It infects the gills of several species of flatfish, particularly the European flounder (Platichthys flesus).[2] Copepodids and immature females infect the holobranch of the host, while adult females prefer the pseudobranch and the internal wall, suggesting they migrate upstream in the gills of the host as they mature.[2]

Acanthochondria cornuta
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Arthropoda
Subphylum:
Crustacea
Class:
Maxillopoda
Subclass:
Copepoda
Order:
Cyclopoida
Suborder:
Poecilostomatoida
Family:
Chondracanthidae
Genus:
Acanthochondria
Species:
A. cornuta
Binomial name
Acanthochondria cornuta
Synonyms

Acanthochondria depressa (Scott T., 1905)
Acanthochondria flurae (Krøyer, 1863)
Anops cornuta Müller O.F., 1776
Chondracanthus cornutus (Müller O.F., 1776)
Chondracanthus depressus Scott T., 1905
Chondracanthus flurae Krøyer, 1863
Entomoda cornuta (Müller O.F., 1776)
Lernaea cornuta Müller O.F., 1776
Lernentoma cornuta (Müller O.F., 1776)

Reproduction

Males in this species are several times smaller than the females, and attach themselves permanently onto special 'nuptial organs' on their mates. These organs are paired, and therefore a single female can sometimes hold two males.[3] In Portuguese waters, reproduction happens year round, and at least two generations are seemingly produced per year, a summer-autumn generation, and a winter-spring generation. Females of the former are smaller and produce less eggs, while those of the latter are larger and more fecund but produce smaller eggs.[3]

See also

References
  1. Walter, T.C., Boxshall, G. (2019). Walter TC, Boxshall G (eds.). "Acanthochondria cornuta (Müller O.F., 1776)". World of Copepods database. World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved 19 May 2019.
  2. Cavaleiro, F.I.; Santos, MJ (2011). "Site selection of Acanthochondria cornuta (Copepoda: Chondracanthidae) in Platichthys flesus (Teleostei: Pleuronectidae)". Parasitology. 138: 1061–1067. doi:10.1017/S0031182011000606.
  3. Frade, D.G.; Nogueira, S; Santos, M.J.; Cavaleiro, F.I. (2016). "The challenges of asymmetric mating – the influence of male and female size on the reproductive output of Acanthochondria cornuta (Chondracanthidae)". Parasitology. 143 (14): 1945–1953. doi:10.1017/S0031182016001578.
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