PROCEEDINGS OF THE UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM 



issued |^?tV»A. \jfMii h 'Ae 



SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION 

 U. S. NATIONAL MUSEUM 



Vol.88 Washington: 1940 No. 3087 



A KEVIEW OF THE PAEASITIC CRUSTACEA OF THE 

 GENUS ARGULUS IN THE COLLECTIONS OF THE 

 UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEIBI ^ 



By O. Lloyd Meehean 



The copepods of the family Argulidae, popularly known as fish- 

 lice, are of economic importance in that they cause serious depreda- 

 tions on fish populations of confined environments. Whole pools 

 and lakes have been depopulated as a result of their attacks. On the 

 other hand, under ordinary conditions these animals may be very 

 inconspicuous with their depressed bodies flattened tightly agamst 

 those of their hosts. They inhabit the gill cavities, the edges of the 

 eyes, the base of the fins, and other tender portions of the fish's body. 



Wilson (1902) first brought together the literature and descrip- 

 tions of American and other species. Since that time he has described 

 a number of species in various periodicals, and many other descrip- 

 tions of new species have accumulated. At the present time, how- 

 ever, it is with great difficulty that a specimen may be identified imless 

 one is familiar with all the species. Usually it is necessary to have 

 an adult male to be positive of correct identification. Meanwhile, 

 already known species are being redescribed as new because of the 

 meagerness and incompleteness of the original descriptions. It is 

 hoped that by the use of this paper identification may be facilitated, 

 and it is the intention to bring the literature and knowledge of 

 American species together. 



» Published by permission of the U. S. Commissioner of Fisheries. 



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