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Scientific Name: Caligus diaphanus von Nordmann, 1832
English Name: Fish Louse, Parasitic Copepod
Local/Bangla Name: Kaligus (কালিগাস)
Zooplankton : Caligus diaphanus

Photo: Fërnœndo Gön Mër (iNaturalist)

Classification:
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Copepoda
Order: Siphonostomatoida
Family: Caligidae
Description:
In females, the cephalothorax is slightly broader than it is long and features protruding lunules. The postero-median lobe is about one and a half times wider than the lateral lobes, and the posterior sinuses are open. The fourth segment is broader than it is long, and the genital segment forms an inverted U-shape. The abdomen consists of two segments, with the first segment being twice the length of the second. The basal segment of the antennules contains stout setae, while the antenna’s basal segment lacks a process and is slightly curved at the tip. The post-antennal process is a small, curved claw, and the post-oral process is elongated and triangular. The basal segment of the maxilliped extends into a large process, and the distal segment forms a strong claw. The distal segment of the first leg has three claws that recline against each other and progressively increase in length. The second and third legs have small accessory spines and small, naked spine-like setae. The basal segment of the endopod of the second leg has a short row, while the second and third segments feature large patches of spinules. The exopod has three claws, with the first two being very long and the third one very short. The basal claw of the exopod of the third leg is externally winged. The fourth leg is broad, four-segmented, and has five prominently winged claws, each with a long patch of denticles at its base. In males, the distal segment of the antenna is short and claw-like, the post-antennal process is strong, and the distal segment of the maxilliped features a located spine. The coloration of this organism is whitish.
Habitat & Distribution in Bangladesh:
Its free-living larval forms serve as zooplankton feed for the fish.
Environment:
Freshwater, Marine
Comments:
Its free-living larval forms serve as zooplankton feed for the fish.
Main References:

Ahmed ATA, Kabir SMH, Ahmad M, Rahman AKA, Haque EU, Ahmed ZU, Begum ZNT, Hassan MA, Khondker M (eds.) (2008) Encyclopedia of Flora and Fauna of Bangladesh, Vol. 18. Part II. Arthropoda: Crustacea. Asiatic Society of Bangladesh, Dhaka, 226 pp

DNA Barcodes from Bangladesh
GenBank Accession Number:
Other DNA Barcodes & Nucleutide Sequences
Global IUCN conservation status:
Other Information