Tegastidae is a family of copepods, which are characterised by having laterally compressed bodies (resembling that of an amphipod), a claw-like mandible in the nauplius stage, and by a modified male genital complex.[1] 85 species have been described in 6 genera. Two species of Smacigastes are found at hydrothermal vents, while the remaining species are found in shallow water, associated with algae, bryozoans and cnidarians, such as corals.[1]

Tegastidae
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Copepoda
Order: Harpacticoida
Family: Tegastidae
G. O. Sars, 1904
An infestation of Tegastes on an acroporid

The six genera are:[2]

References

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  1. ^ a b Sabine Gollner, Viatcheslav N. Ivanenko & Pedro Martinez Arbizu (2008). "A new species of deep-sea Tegastidae (Crustacea: Copepoda: Harpacticoida) from 9°50´N on the East Pacific Rise, with remarks on its ecology" (PDF). Zootaxa. 1866: 323–326.
  2. ^ T. Chad Walter & Rony Huys (2010). T. Chad Walter & Geoff Boxshall (ed.). "Tegastidae". World Copepoda database. World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved November 9, 2010.