that size depends on the host (table 2) . In addition 

 to total lengith, we determined the proportional 

 lengths of four main body divisions (cephalon, 

 thorax, genital segment, and abdomen). The size 

 of the ceplialon varied the least from one host to 

 another. The total length of the copepod was nearly 

 seven times the length of the cephalon in specimens 

 from ^. hiatis, whereas in those from T. crocodihis 

 the ratio was only 4.5:1. From other hosts the 

 ratio was intermediate as follows : T. acxis^ 5.1 : 1 ; 

 Lhotskia gavialoides, 5.3 : 1 ; and -iS*. leiura, 5.9 : 1. 

 These ratios suggest that the part of the copepod 

 most aifected by the host is the more posterior. 

 Considering the habitat of this species (generally 

 beneath the oral valve) , the copepod may have to 

 gi'ow to lengths which permit anal respiration and 

 elimination by extending that portion of the body 

 beyond the edge of the oral valve, and permit egg 

 strings to be exposed for proper oxygenation and 

 larval escape. Figure 146 shows three specimens in 

 place under the lower jaw oral valve of Ahlennes 

 hians. 



Table 2. — Total lengths of ovigerous female Caligodes 

 laciniatus, by hosts and by areas 



Geography does not seem to influence total 

 length of the copepod except as it determines the 

 distribution of the hosts (see table 2). 



In a paper on the genus Glowpotes^ Cressey 

 (1967) noted that the average size of the adult 

 female G. loatsoni depended on the host. Wliether 

 size differences are influenced primarily by the 

 host or secondarily by the environment of the host 

 cannot be determined at present, but the fact that 

 the host influences the morphometries of parasitic 

 copepods is becoming more apparent. It is also 

 obvious that the absolute size of parasitic copepods 

 cannot be considered a reliable taxonomic 

 character. 



FAMILY ANTHOSOMATIDAE 



Two species of Lemanthrojnis were collected. 

 We have determined that only two species, L. tylo- 

 su.ri and L. hclones, are found on needlefishes. 

 Others described from needlefishes have been 

 synonymized with these two. 



Lernanthropus belones Kr^yer 



Figures 147 to 156, Flat© 3 (a-c) 



Lernanthropus chlamydotes Wilson, 1922, p. 48. 

 Specimens studied. — A total of 689 specimens, 

 including both sexes, from 80 collections from 11 

 host species. A detailed list of these collections is 

 provided below: Ahlennes Mans, Puerto Rico; 

 Platybelone argalus, Bermuda (2 collections) ; 

 Strongylura anastomeUa, Suruga Bay, Japan; 

 Strongylura. exilis, San Diego, Calif. (3 collec- 

 tions) ; Baja California (2 collections) ; Panama 

 (Pacific) ; Strongylura incnsa, Ebon Island, Mar- 

 shall Islands (2 collections) ; Arnhem Land, Aus- 

 tralia; Philippines (2 collections) ; Singapore (2 

 collections) ; Gilbert Islands; Strongylura marina, 

 Beaufort, N.C. ; Morehead City, N.C. ; St. Simons 

 Island, Ga. (3 collections) ; Florida, west coast 

 (3 collections) ; Florida, east coast (2 collections) ; 

 Venezuela; Trinidad; Strongylura notata, Flor- 

 ida, west coast (7 collections) ; Florida, east coast 

 (3 collections) ; Andros Island, Bimini Island, 

 Bahamas; Yucatan; Cuba (2 collections); Ja- 

 maica; Strongylura scapul-aris, Balboa, Canal 

 Zone (2 collections) ; Guayaquil, Ecuador (2 col- 

 lections) ; Strongylura strongylura, Bombay, 

 India; Madras, India; Singapore; China; Philip- 

 pines; Strongylura timueu, Florida, west coast (5 

 collections) ; Florida, east coast (3 collections) ; 

 Bahamas (2 collections) ; Cuba; Jamaica (3 col- 

 lections) ; Puerto Rico (4 collections) ; Virgin Is- 

 lands (2 collections) ; Colon, Panama; Yucatan (2 



384 



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