Platycopiidae facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Platycopiidae |
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| Platycopia perplexa | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Crustacea |
| Class: | Copepoda |
| Infraclass: | Progymnoplea Lang, 1948 |
| Order: | Platycopioida Fosshagen, 1985 |
| Family: | Platycopiidae G. O. Sars, 1911 |
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The Platycopiidae are a special group, or family, of tiny sea creatures called copepods. Copepods are small crustaceans, like miniature shrimp. They live in almost all freshwater and saltwater habitats.
For a long time, this family only had one known type, or genus, called Platycopia. That was until 1988, when scientists found a new genus, Nanocopia. Now, the Platycopiidae family includes four different genera. Three of these genera have only one known species each. The Platycopia genus is different, with eight known species.
What Makes Platycopiidae Unique?
Scientists believe that Platycopiidae have a very old and simple body shape. This shape might be similar to the very first copepods that ever lived. This makes them very important for understanding how copepods evolved.
One special feature that helps scientists identify Platycopiidae is a second tiny hair, called a seta, on certain parts of their legs. They also share a special sensory organ with another group of copepods, the Calanoida. This organ is near the base of their first swimming leg. It helps them sense their surroundings.
Where Do Platycopiidae Live?
The different types of Platycopiidae are found in various parts of the world. Some live in deep ocean waters, while others prefer special cave environments.
Meet the Members of Platycopiidae
- Antrisocopia prehensilis was discovered in 1985 by Audun Fosshagen. This species is in great danger of disappearing forever. It lives in a special kind of limestone cave in Bermuda. These caves are called anchialine caves because they are connected to the sea underground. Scientists have only found five adult Antrisocopia prehensilis specimens.
- Nanocopia minuta was found in 1988, also by Audun Fosshagen. Like Antrisocopia, this species is also critically endangered. It lives in the same anchialine cave in Bermuda. Only two specimens of Nanocopia minuta have ever been found.
- Sarsicopia polaris was found in 1997 by Martínez Arbizu. This species was collected in 1993 from the cold Barents Sea. It was found at a depth of 534 meters (about 1,750 feet) below the surface.
- The Platycopia genus includes eight different species. These species are found in many places around the world. They live in the North Sea, along the eastern coast of North America, in the Bahamas, near Mauritania, and in Japan. The first species from this group, P. perplexa, was named by Georg Ossian Sars in 1911.
 | Precious Adams |
 | Lauren Anderson |
 | Janet Collins |
