Sapphirina, whose members are commonly known as sea sapphires,[1] is a genus of parasitic copepods in the family Sapphirinidae.

Sapphirina
Sapphirina darwinii with egg cases
Scientific classification
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Sapphirina

J. Thompson, 1830
Species

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Description

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Various species of male Sapphirina shine in different hues, from bright gold to deep blue. This is partially due to structural coloration in which microscopic layers of crystal plates inside their cells which are separated by minute distances, and these distances equal the same wavelength of the corresponding color of their "shine".[1] The females are translucent, as are the males when they are not shining.[1]

Species

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The genus Sapphirina consists of the following species:[2]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c Rebecca Helm (February 20, 2014). "The most beautiful animal you've never seen". Deep Sea News. Retrieved March 1, 2014.
  2. ^ T. Chad Walter & Geoff Boxshall (2010). T. Chad Walter & Geoff Boxshall (ed.). "Sapphirina Thompson J., 1830". World Copepoda database. World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved October 28, 2010.
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