Carpias minutus
(Richardson, 1902)
Sargasso Witcher
Carpias minutus is a marine isopod in the Janiridae, commonly known as the Sargasso Witcher. The species was described by Richardson in 1902. It is associated with the Sargasso Sea , a unique pelagic in the North Atlantic Ocean characterized by floating Sargassum seaweed. The species has been recorded from Bermuda and coastal Brazil (Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo states).
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Carpias minutus: //ˈkɑː.pɪ.əs mɪˈnjuː.təs//
These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.
Habitat
Pelagic marine environment, specifically associated with Sargassum seaweed in the Sargasso Sea and adjacent Atlantic waters.
Distribution
Bermuda; Brazil (Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo).
Host Associations
- Sargassum - Associated with floating Sargassum seaweed in the pelagic zone.
More Details
Taxonomic note
Carpias minutus belongs to the suborder Asellota, a diverse group of mostly small marine isopods. The Carpias is placed in the Janiridae.
Data scarcity
This is extremely poorly known in the scientific literature. Only one observation is recorded in iNaturalist, and published biological information appears to be minimal. The 'Sargasso Witcher' suggests ecological association with the Sargasso Sea, but detailed information is not available.