Anatomy of the free tantulus larva (Crustacea: Tantulocarida) studied with confocal laser scanning microscopy: An extreme case of miniatuarisation in the Arthropoda

The Tantulocarida is a small taxon of microscopic parasitic crustaceans that has a sophisticated life-cycle. The unique larval stage is called a tantulus, which is adapted to both free-swimming in sediments and attached parasitic mode of life. The anatomy of free-swimming tantulus larvae was studied using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) for the first time. This revealed previously undocumented details of the internal organisation of...