Morphology and biology of the endoparasitic copepod Lamippe bouligandi from the bathyal sea pen Anthoptilum grandiflorum

Members of the family Lamippidae are obligate endoparasitic copepods that typically associate with octocorals. In the present work, the association between Lamippe bouligandi and its bathyal sea pen host Anthoptilum grandiflorum was examined. A total of 1463 females and 23 males of L. bouligandi were collected from 195 colonies of A. grandiflorum. Details of the external morphology and digestive organs of the female copepod are used to refine our understanding of its feeding strategy and relationship with the host, and a preliminary overview of the male is provided for the first time. A combination of histology, scanning electron microscopy and laboratory monitoring of live sea pens hosting L. bouligandi were used to elucidate aspects of its life history, including the reproductive cycle, brooding strategy, and embryonic and larval development.