This page links to photos of parasitic crustaceans, especially copepods, mostly living on numerous species of heterobranch mollusks (sea slugs). We have no identifications of specific species, but have divided them up roughly by color and shape. As noted in Nudibranch Behavior by Behrens (2005), "Little is known about the relationship between copepods and sea slugs except that the parasitic copepods are strictly host-specific and come in two types: tissue-feeders and haemolymph suckers (those that suck the body fluid of the host)." Most species in the Marshalls are tiny, 1-2mm body size at most. They are often most easily spotted by the paired egg cylinders trailing behind the usually oval body. They come in various colors, all of which could be variations of the same species but which are here figured on separate ages. Most species were photographed at Kwajalein and Enewetak Atoll with a few from Majuro.
We welcome corrections at uwkwaj@yahoo.com. Clicking on a thumbnail below brings up a page for that species.
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