Ectinosomatidae is a family of the Harpacticoida, a huge group of crustaceans belonging to the subclass Copepoda. Like most of their relatives, they are usually benthic inhabitants of marine environments. Ectinosomatidae commonly inhabit sediment and fragments of dead corals or glass sponges, and occasionally algae and bryozoans, in the deep oceans. In the epifaunal species, the first leg pair is often modified to allow the animals a better grip on the substrate.[1]

Ectinosomatidae
Microstella spp.
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Copepoda
Order: Harpacticoida
Family: Ectinosomatidae
G. O. Sars, 1903
Synonyms

Ectinosomidae

Genera

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More than 20 genera are included in the family:[2]

References

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  1. ^ Hendrik Gheerardyn, Sybille Seifried & Ann Vanreusel (2008). "A new species of Halophytophilus Brian, 1919 (Copepoda: Harpacticoida: Ectinosomatidae) from cold-water corals in the Porcupine Seabight (NE Atlantic)" (PDF abstract). Zootaxa. 1761: 1–16.
  2. ^ T. Chad Walter & Rony Huys (2010). T. Chad Walter & Geoff Boxshall (ed.). "Ectinosomatidae". World Copepoda database. World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved August 10, 2010.