Introduction

Cryptoniscoids are ectoparasitic on other crustaceans (copepods, ostracods, isopods, amphipods, barnacles, and mysids) and host species have been the basis of division of the group into numerous families (Nielsen & Strömberg 1965, 1973). This taxonomic division has little support from morphological differences between the so-called families and genera (Caroli 1953; Nielsen & Strömberg 1965). Sars (1898), Kensley (1978) and Schultz (1969) have used the family name Cryptoniscidae Kossmann, 1880 in its broadest sense, treating families such as Cabiropidae Giard & Bonnier, 1887 as junior synonyms. Martin & Davis (2000) however listed seven families in this superfamily whereas Trilles' (1999) 'Section des Cryptoniscina' of superfamily Bopyroidea listed eight. Only three of the 14 families in this superfamily are represented in Australia.

After some discussion, Grygier & Bowman (1991) decided the authorship of the family Cryptoniscidae, and thereby the superfamily. Grygier (1993) reviewed further the nomenclatural history of the family.

Diagnosis

Female: Sac-like, with few distinct somites. Pereopods absent. Oostegites absent, brooding internally. Male: Mature during second larval stage (cryptoniscus). Antenna 1 with lamellar basal article, often serrated. Oral cone simple, without a sucker, directed anteriorly or posteriorly. Pereopods 3–7 slender, with setiform dactyli, coxal plates serrated. Pleopods biramous, well developed. Uropod with exopod much shorter than endopod.

General References

Caroli, E. 1953. Rassegna degli Epicaridei parassiti Epicaridei finoranoti, e notizia preliminare di uno nuovo (Paracabirops marsupialis n.g., n.sp.) del Golfo di Napoli. Pubblicazioni della Stazione Zoologica di Napoli 24: 84-91

Grygier, M.J. 1993. Cryptoniscidae s.s. (Isopoda: Epicaridea): nomenclatural history and recommendations. Publications of the Seto Marine Biological Laboratory 36: 185-195

Grygier, M.J. & Bowman, T.E. 1991. The authorship of Cryptoniscidae (Isopoda, Epicaridea); a correction. Crustaceana 61: 106

Kensley, B. 1978. Guide to the Marine Isopods of Southern Africa. Cape Town : Trustees of the South African Museum 173 pp.

Martin, J.W. & Davis, G.E. 2001. An updated classification of the recent Crustacea. Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County. Science Series 39: 1-124

Nielsen, S.-O. & Strömberg, J.-O. 1965. A new parasite of Cirolana borealis Lilljeborg belonging to the Cryptoniscidae (Crustacea Epicaridea). Sarsia 18: 38-62

Nielsen, S.-O. & Strömberg, J.-O. 1973. Morphological characters of taxonomic importance in Cryptoniscina (Isopoda Epicaridea). A scanning electron microscopic study of cryptoniscus larvae. Sarsia 52: 75-96

Sars, G.O. 1898. Parts 11, 12. Oniscidae (concluded), Bopyridae, Dajidae. 185-232, pls 89-96 in Sars, G.O. (ed.). An Account of the Crustacea of Norway with short descriptions and figures of all the species. Isopoda. Bergen : Bergen Museum Vol. 2 270 pp.

Schultz, G.A. 1969. How to Know the Marine Isopod Crustaceans. Dubuque : Wm C. Brown Company Publishers 359 pp.

Trilles, J.-P. 1999. Ordre des isopodes sous-ordre des épicarides (Epicaridea Latreille, 1825). pp. 279-352 in Forest, J. Traité de Zoologie. Anatomie, systèmatique, biologie … Tom. 7 Crustacés Fasc. 3A Péracarides. Mémoires de l'Institut Océanographique, Monaco 19: 1-446

History of changes

• Cabiropsidae Giard, A. & Bonnier, J. 1887. Contribution à l'étude des bopyriens. Travaux de l'Institut Zoologique de Lille et de la Station Maritime de Wimereux 5: 1-272 [221] [original spelling; misspelling of Cabiropidae].

  Type genus:

   Cabirops Kossmann, 1884.

Introduction

The Cabiropidae, like the other restricted families, is weakly defined even in its most recent use (Bourdon 1967; Sassaman 1992). Nielsen & Strömberg (1973) examined many characters and evaluated their classificatory significance. The diagnosis presented here is based on their and Trilles' (1999) comments. All species are parasitic on isopods and some hyperparasitic on bopyrid isopods. There 16 genera of which only two have been reported from Australia.

Nielsen & Strömberg (1965) described the biology of one species and listed many species. Sassaman (1985, 1992) described a Californian species of Cabirops in detail and commented on its biology and relationships within that genus. Holdich (1975) reported on the biology of one species of Ancryoniscus infecting a species of sphaeromatid isopod in Britain.

The spelling Cabiropsidae is frequently used, but was corrected without comment by Sassaman (1992).

Diagnosis

Dorsal cuticular ridges prominent or poorly developed; eyes present or absent; first peduncular article of antenna 1 with or without marginal teeth; pleotelson with or without marginal teeth; oral cone directed anteriorly or posteriorly; coxal plates always with toothed posterior margins.

General References

Bourdon, R. 1967. Sur quelques nouvelles espèces de Cabiropsidae. Bulletin du Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris [published 1907-1971] 2 38: 846-868

Holdich, D.M. 1975. Ancyroniscus bonnieri (Isopoda, Epicaridea) infecting British populations of Dynamene bidentata (Isopoda, Sphaeromatidae). Crustaceana 28: 145-151

Nielsen, S.-O. & Strömberg, J.-O. 1965. A new parasite of Cirolana borealis Lilljeborg belonging to the Cryptoniscidae (Crustacea Epicaridea). Sarsia 18: 38-62

Nielsen, S.-O. & Strömberg, J.-O. 1973. Morphological characters of taxonomic importance in Cryptoniscina (Isopoda Epicaridea). A scanning electron microscopic study of cryptoniscus larvae. Sarsia 52: 75-96

Sassaman, C. 1985. Cabirops montereyensis, a new species of hyperparasitic isopod from Monterey Bay, California (Epicaridea: Cabiropsidae). Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington 98: 778-789

Sassaman, C. 1992. Description of the mature female and epicaridium larva of Cabirops monteryensis Sassaman from southern California (Crustacea: Isopoda: Cabiropidae). Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington 105: 575-584

Trilles, J.-P. 1999. Ordre des isopodes sous-ordre des épicarides (Epicaridea Latreille, 1825). pp. 279-352 in Forest, J. Traité de Zoologie. Anatomie, systèmatique, biologie … Tom. 7 Crustacés Fasc. 3A Péracarides. Mémoires de l'Institut Océanographique, Monaco 19: 1-446

History of changes

• Ancyroniscus Caullery, M. & Mesnil, F. 1919. Sur un nouvel épicaride (Ancyroniscus bonnieri, n.g., n.sp.) parasite d'un sphéromide (Dynamene bidentata Mont.). Comptes Rendus (Hebdomadaires) des Séances de l'Academie des Sciences. Série D. Sciences Naturelles 169: 1430-1432 [1431].

  Type species:

   Ancyroniscus bonnieri Caullery & Mesnil, 1919 by original designation.

Distribution

States

Queensland

Extra Distribution Information

North Atlantic Ocean.

IMCRA

Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

Original AFD Distribution Data

Australian Region

• Australia
  • 200 m bathymetric: Great Barrier Reef
  • Queensland

Distribution References

History of changes

• Ancyroniscus orientalis Bourdon, R. & Bruce, A.J. 1980. Ancyroniscus orientalis sp. nov. (Isopoda: Epicaridea), nouveau Cabiropsidae parasite de la "Great Barrier Reef". Bulletin de l'Academie et de Société Lorraines des Sciences 19: 21-26 [22].

  Type data:

   Holotype AM P29967 ♂, Heron Is., QLD, on Aega cyclops (Isopoda: Aegidae).
  Paratype(s) AM P29968 ♀.

Distribution

States

Queensland

IMCRA

Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

Original AFD Distribution Data

Australian Region

• Australia
  • 200 m bathymetric: Great Barrier Reef
  • Queensland

Ecological Descriptors

Ectoparasitic (host(s): Aega cyclops Haswell, 1881 [AEGIDAE]), marine.

History of changes

• Cabira Kossmann, R. 1872. Beitrage zue Anatomie der schmarotzenden Rankenfüssler. Arbeiten aus dem Zoologisch-Zootomischen Institut in Würzburg 1: 97-137 [134] [junior homonym of Cabira Jodoffsky (Lepidoptera)].

  Type species:

   Cabira lernoediscoides Kossmann, 1874 by monotypy.
• Cabirops Kossmann, R. 1884. Neueres über Cryptonisciden. Sitzungsberichte der Königlichen Preussischen Akademie der Wissenschaften zu Berlin 22: 457-473 [460] [replacement name for Cabira Kossmann, 1872].

Distribution

States

Queensland

Extra Distribution Information

Cosmopolitan.

IMCRA

Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

Original AFD Distribution Data

Australian Region

• Australia
  • 200 m bathymetric: NE coast
  • Queensland

Distribution References

History of changes

• Cabirops orbionei Bourdon, R. 1972. Épicarides de la Galathea Expedition. Galathea Report 12: 101-112 [107].

  Type data:

   Holotype UZM cryptoniscid larva, near Natal, South Africa, 575–595 m.

  Type host:

   Orbione natalensis Bourdon, 1972 [BOPYRIDAE]

Distribution

States

Queensland

Extra Distribution Information

South Africa, Red Sea.

IMCRA

Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

Original AFD Distribution Data

Australian Region

• Australia
  • 200 m bathymetric: NE coast
  • Queensland

Ecological Descriptors

Hyperparasitic, marine.

General References

Owens, L. 1993. Prevalence of Cabirops orbionei (Epicaridea; Cryptoniscidae) in northern Australia: a biocontrol agent for bopyrids. Australian Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 44: 381-387 (Australian records)

History of changes

• Dajidae Sars, G.O. 1883. Oversigt af Norges Crustaceer medforelobige bemaerkninger over de nye eller mindre bekjende Arter. 1. (Podophthalmata-Cumacea-Isopoda-Amphipoda). Bulletin of the Mauritius Institute 18: 1-124 [publication dated 1882] [19].

  Type genus:

   Dajus Krøyer, 1882.

Introduction

Dajids are parasitic in the incubatory chamber or dorsal surface of euphausiaceans, mysidaceans and caridans (rarely in Brachyura). About 50 species are known. Jones & Smaldon (1986) and Wasmer (1988) reviewed the systematics and biology of one of the larger genera, Holophryxus. The diagnosis is adapted from Sars (1898), Richardson (1905) and Naylor (1972).

Diagnosis

Female: Symmetrical, somites visible only mid-dorsally if at all. Oral cone (mandible and lamellar maxilliped only) produced anteriorly or posteriorly. Pereopods of 4 or 5 pairs, crowded around mouth. Oostegites small, few, brood pouch bilateral. Pleopods small or absent. Uropod distinct or absent. Male: Narrow, with pereonite 1 fused to head.

General References

Jones, M.B. & Smaldon, G. 1986. On the genus Holophryxus (Isopoda: Epicaridea), with description of the male and redescription of the female of Holophryxus acanthephyrae. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 66: 303-314

Naylor, E. 1972. British Marine Isopods. Keys and Notes for the Identification of the Species. Synopses of British Fauna No. 3. London : Linnean Society of London 86 pp.

Richardson, H. 1905. A monograph on the isopods of North America. Bulletin of the United States National Museum 54: I-LIII, 1-727

Sars, G.O. 1882. Oversigt af Norges Crustaceers med forlobige Bemaerkninger over de nye eller mindre bekjendte Arter. Forhandlinger i Videnskabs-Selskabet i Christiania 1882(18): 1-124

Sars, G.O. 1898. Parts 11, 12. Oniscidae (concluded), Bopyridae, Dajidae. 185-232, pls 89-96 in Sars, G.O. (ed.). An Account of the Crustacea of Norway with short descriptions and figures of all the species. Isopoda. Bergen : Bergen Museum Vol. 2 270 pp.

Wasmer, R.A. 1988. The parasitic isopod Holophryxus acanthephyrae Stephensen (Epicaridea: Dajidae) from the subantarctic South Pacific, with notes on its synonymy and host. Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington 101: 20-30

History of changes

• Holophryxus Richardson, H. 1905. Isopods of the Alaska Salmon Investigation. Bulletin of the United States Bureau of Fisheries 24: 209-221 [209].

  Type species:

   Holophryxus alascensis Richardson, 1905 by original designation.

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Tasmania

Extra Distribution Information

North Atlantic and North Pacific Oceans, Southern Ocean.

IMCRA

Tasmania Province (10), Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Tasman Basin Province (13)

Original AFD Distribution Data

Australian Region

• Australia
  • 200 mile fishing zone: SE oceanic
  • New South Wales

Distribution References

History of changes

• Holophryxus acanthephyrae Stephensen, K. 1912. Report on the Malacostraca collected by the "Tjalfe"–Expedition, under the direction of Cand. Mag. Ad. S. Jensen, especially at W. Greenland. Videnskabelige Meddelelser fra Dansk Naturhistorisk Forening i Kjøbenhavn 64: 57-134 [112].

  Type data:

   Holotype ZMUC, Davis Strait [60°07´N 48°26´W].

  Secondary source:

   Wasmer, R.A. 1988. The parasitic isopod Holophryxus acanthephyrae Stephensen (Epicaridea: Dajidae) from the subantarctic South Pacific, with notes on its synonymy and host. Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington 101: 20-30.

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Tasmania

Extra Distribution Information

N Atlantic, Antarctic and subantarctic S Pacific.

IMCRA

Tasmania Province (10), Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Tasman Basin Province (13)

Original AFD Distribution Data

Australian Region

• Australia
  • 200 mile fishing zone: SE oceanic
  • New South Wales

Ecological Descriptors

Continental slope, ectoparasitic, marine.

Extra Ecological Information

On Acanthephyra pelagica (Risso) (Caridea: Oplophoridae).

General References

Jones, M.B. & Smaldon, G. 1986. On the genus Holophryxus (Isopoda: Epicaridea), with description of the male and redescription of the female of Holophryxus acanthephyrae. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 66: 303-314 (description, biology)

Wasmer, R.A. 1988. The parasitic isopod Holophryxus acanthephyrae Stephensen (Epicaridea: Dajidae) from the subantarctic South Pacific, with notes on its synonymy and host. Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington 101: 20-30 (distribution, synonymy, host, Australian record)

History of changes

• Entophilinae Richardson, H. 1903. Isopods collected at the Hawaiian islands by the U.S. Fish Commission Steamer Albatross. Bulletin of the United States Fish Commission 1903: 819-826 [824] [erected as subfamily of Dajidae].

  Type genus:

   Entophilus Richardson, 1903.

Introduction

The single widespread species, Entophilus omnitectus Richardson, 1903, is found under the mid-dorsal carapace of species of the munidid squat lobster genera in moderately deep water.

Diagnosis

Female: Body nearly symmetrical, segmented; all pereopods present; coxal plates covering edges of all pereomeres; 5 pairs of overlapping oostegites enclosing brood pouch; pleon of 5 pleomeres, each covered dorsally, laterally and partly ventrally by lateral plates; 5 pairs of reduced biramous pleopods nearly concealed by lateral plates; no uropods. Male: All body segments distinct; pleon elongate, of 6 pleomeres; 5 pairs of foliaceous pleopods; uniramous uropods.

History of changes

• Entophilus Richardson, H. 1903. Isopods collected at the Hawaiian islands by the U.S. Fish Commission Steamer Albatross. Bulletin of the United States Fish Commission 1903: 819-826 [824].

  Type species:

   Entophilus omnitectus Richardson, 1903 by monotypy.

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Tasmania

Extra Distribution Information

North Pacific Ocean, North Atlantic Ocean.

IMCRA

Tasmania Province (10), Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Tasman Basin Province (13)

Original AFD Distribution Data

Australian Region

• Australia
  • 200 mile fishing zone: SE oceanic
  • New South Wales

History of changes

• Entophilus omnitectus Richardson, H. 1903. Isopods collected at the Hawaiian islands by the U.S. Fish Commission Steamer Albatross. Bulletin of the United States Fish Commission 1903: 819-826 [825].

  Type data:

   Holotype USNM 28969, Pailolo Channel between Main Is. and Molokai Is. and on the northeast coast of Main Is., Hawaii, on Munida normani, now Garymunida normani (Henderson, 1885). (Munididae).

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Tasmania

Extra Distribution Information

Philippines, Hawaii, North Atlantic Ocean.

IMCRA

Tasmania Province (10), Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Tasman Basin Province (13)

Original AFD Distribution Data

Australian Region

• Australia
  • 200 mile fishing zone: SE oceanic
  • New South Wales

Ecological Descriptors

Continental slope, ectoparasitic, marine.

Extra Ecological Information

Parasitic on Munididae

General References

Bourdon, R. 1979. Bopyridae de la campagne Biaçores (Isopoda, Epicaridea). Bulletin du Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris [published 1907-1971] 4 1(A): 507-512 (Australian record, distribution)

Nierstrasz, H.F. & Brender à Brandis, G. 1923. Isopoda Genuina, I: Epicaridea. Siboga-Expéditie Report 19: 57-121 (distribution)

History of changes