Tanaidacea

Abstract

At present, approximately 1,402 species of tanaidaceans are recognized—a sizable number and of the same order of magnitude as Cumacea. Within Tanaidacea, a surprising amount of anatomical diversity appears, especially within species. For decades, they have been divided into Dikonophora and Monokonophora, based on whether there are one or two genital cones in the males. The order displays widespread progeny, with females remaining in their burrows to bear the young, which eventually bore out of the burrows to take up independent existence in their own burrows. After reproducing, the females molt to eventually become copulatory males, which then range about seeking suitable females. Tanaidacea lack a telson in favor of an anal somite.