Humpback Smooth Whale Louse [Cyamus erraticus]
Description
This species is a common ectoparasite of humpback whales, found across all oceans. The louse is approximately 1 cm in length, has a smooth, oval, light brown body. Its distinguishing features include two pairs of antennae and seven pairs of legs, the last three of which are adapted for clinging onto the host.
Taxonomy
| Phylum |
Flatworms
Platyhelminthes
|
|---|---|
| Class |
Cestoda
Cestoda
|
| Order |
Trypanorhyncha
Trypanorhyncha
|
| Family |
Triloculariidae
Triloculariidae
|
| Genus |
Smooth Whale Lice
Isocyamus
|