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Argulus ambystoma

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Argulus ambystoma
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Ichthyostraca
Order: Arguloida
Family: Argulidae
Genus: Argulus
Species:
A. ambystoma
Binomial name
Argulus ambystoma
Poly, 2003

Argulus ambystoma is a species of branchiuran parasitic on Lake Patzcuaro salamanders, sharing that species' very limited range in Lago de Pátzcuaro, Mexico.

The male has a total length of 3–4 mm with 2 dark triangular marks on the dorsal surface of the carapace and large dark patches marking the location of the testes. The larger (4–6 mm) female is generally mottled without large dark areas. It lives among the external gills of its neotenous host, only occasionally straying from this hiding place during darkness. This retiring nature may explain why this animal remained undiscovered until recently.

References

[edit]
  • Poly, William J. (2003). "Argulus ambystoma, a new species parasitic on the salamander Ambystoma dumerilii from Mexico (Crustacea: Branchiura: Argulidae)" (PDF). Ohio Journal of Science. 103 (3): 52–61.