Kingdom Animalia Subphylum Crustacea Order Amphipoda Rank Species | Phylum Arthropoda Class Malacostraca Family Cyamidae | |
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Similar Whale louse, Coronula diadema, Coronula, Cyamus ovalis, Corophiida | ||
Cyamus boopis is a species of whale louse in the family Cyamidae.
This is an ectoparasite that lives exclusively on humpback whales. The infestation is most concentrated around the genital apertures, but occurs on all parts of the body, most commonly where there is an infestation of the barnacle species Coronula diadema.
These lice will promptly try to attach themselves to people when handling whales during processing.
Description
Males of the species grow to about 11.5 mm long and 4 mm wide, with the first antenna being about 5.25 mm long. Females grow to 9.5 mm long and 4 mm wide with the first antenna 3.5 mm.
Both sexes have four-segmented antennae, the endmost containing strong bristles. The body comprises multiple segments, each containing hooks used to attach itself to the whale.