Branchiura

From Freepedia

? Branchiura
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda Subphylum: Crustacea Class: Maxillopoda Subclass: Branchiura Thorell, 1864 Order: Arguloida Yamaguti, 1963 Family: Argulidae Leach, 1819

Branchiura, commonly called Carp louse or Fish louse is a group of parasitic crustaceans of uncertain position within the Maxillopoda. They are thought to be primitive forms but there is no fossil recorded. The subclass contains one family with around 130 species, all of which are ectoparasites on fish. A few exceptions have been found on amphibians.