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The Fine Structure of the Integument of Free‐Living and Parasitic Copepods. A Review
Author(s) -
Bresciani J.
Publication year - 1986
Publication title -
acta zoologica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.414
H-Index - 37
eISSN - 1463-6395
pISSN - 0001-7272
DOI - 10.1111/j.1463-6395.1986.tb00857.x
Subject(s) - biology , arthropod cuticle , copepod , cuticle (hair) , integument , arthropod , integumentary system , viral tegument , crustacean , botany , zoology , anatomy , insect , ecology , virology
A perusal of the literature on copepod cuticles has been made, and results of the investigation of six species made by the author are included in this review. The integument of copepods is of the arthropod type. Pore canals and other structures traversing the cuticle, common in most arthropods, are not always present in free‐living and some parasitic copepods. In parasitic forms, with advanced morphological changes, the cuticle is generally very thin and the epicuticle in many species forms external microvilli‐like structures. In the copepods hitherto investigated the epicuticle is probably the sole layer present in the cuticle. Some copepods show specialized regions of the cuticular surface, the function of which still remains obscure. Integumental organs and integumental structures are numerous and variable. The association of bacteria with the cuticle has been observed in many species. The structure of the integument of parasitic species lacking an alimentary tube and in close contact with the host tissue or hemocoelic cavity supports the idea that the integument could be the obligatory site of nutrient uptake. In spite of the relatively few species of copepods that have been investigated, a remarkable variation of cuticular fine structure has been revealed.