Bopyrid

/bɒˈpɪrɪd/ noun

Definition

A small parasitic crustacean belonging to the family Bopyridae, which lives inside the gills or body cavities of shrimp and other crustaceans.

Etymology

From the family name 'Bopyridae' (from Greek 'bo-' meaning small, and possibly a reference to the pea-like shape), with the English noun suffix '-id' indicating a member of that family.

Kelly Says

Bopyrids are nature's body-snatchers—they infiltrate their hosts so completely that they often castrate them or dramatically change their appearance, and scientists have only recently discovered how sophisticated this parasitic manipulation truly is.

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