Anilocra

Anilocra species can be distinguished from other cymothoid genera by their relatively flattened, oval body shape adapted for clinging to fish hosts. They possess strong, hook-like pereiopods for attachment. Identification to species level typically requires examination of host association, body size, and detailed morphological features including pleopod structure and the presence or absence of the male-specific appendix masculina.

Marine; associated with shallow water coral reefs and patch reefs. Found in tropical and subtropical coastal waters where host fish occur.

Widespread in tropical and subtropical marine waters. Documented from the Great Barrier Reef (eastern Australia) and other Indo-Pacific regions. Specific distributions vary by species.

Hematophagous; feeds on blood of host fish.

• Chromis nitida - hostYellowback puller, a damselfish. Documented host of A. pomacentri.
• Apogonidae - hostCardinal fish family. Documented hosts based on A. apogonae association.

Sequential hermaphrodite: begins as male (4.1–7.2 mm telson length, bearing appendix masculina), transitions to female. Female lifespan approximately one year, producing three batches of eggs brooded in marsupium. Mancae (juveniles) develop through four stages before release; released mancae are infective and actively seek host fish.

Permanently attached to host fish as adult, typically positioning just above and behind the eye. Juvenile mancae actively seek and attach to suitable host fish.

Parasite; exerts negative effects on host populations through reduced growth, fecundity, and increased mortality. May influence host population dynamics and community structure on coral reefs.

Of interest to fisheries and aquaculture as a fish parasite; may affect wild fish stocks and potentially cultured species. No direct human health significance documented.

• CymothoaAnother cymothoid genus of fish parasites; Anilocra distinguished by external attachment (typically on head/eye region) versus Cymothoa species which often attach inside the mouth or gill chamber.
• LivonecaRelated cymothoid genus; morphological differences in body proportions and pleopod structure, plus host association patterns, aid separation.

• parasite
• marine
• cymothoid
• fish parasite
• hematophagous
• hermaphrodite
• coral reef

• BugGuide
• Wikipedia
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon
• NCBI Taxonomy
• Catalogue of Life
• Effect of the parasitic isopod Anilocra apogonae (Cymothoidae) on the growth, condition, reproduction and survival of cardinal fish (Apogonidae)