Ecology and Taxonomy of an Epizooic Diatom

Abstract

An epizooic diatom, Sameioneis carinaes gen. et sp. nov., has been found in the inland marine waters of northwestern Washington. It was found attached only to the copepod Corycaeus affinis. Attachment of the diatom occurs mainly on the second antennae and thoracic segments of male animals, and on the carapace and thoracic segments of females, which are the areas of contact during copulatory and noncopulatory clasping. It is probable that the diatoms are transferred to other animals during these activities.