Aspects of the morphology of the parasitic copepod Lernaea cyprinacea linnaeus, 1758 and notes on its distribution in Africa

A morphological study on the ectoparasite Lernaea cyprinacea, found on Labeo rosae and Oreochromis mossambicus in the Olifants River in the Kruger National Park, South Africa, was done with the use of Scanning Electron Microscopy. Detailed descriptions are given of the appendages and their associated ornamentation. Significant morphological findings include the exact structure of the mandibles and the ornamentation on first pair of maxillae. Statistical analysis of the morphometrical data as well as the geographical distribution in Africa are shown.