The copepodid of Peniculisa shiinoi Izawa, 1965 (Copepoda, Siphonostomatoida, Pennellidae), a single free-swimming larval stage of the species

The copepodid stage of the parasitic copepod Peniculisa shiinoi Izawa, 1965 (Siphonostomatoida, Pennellidae), parasitic on the fins of a puffer fish, Canthigaster rivulatus, is described based on specimens reared from eggs. This is the only free-swimming larval stage of P. shiinoi. The copepodid is distinctly smaller than those of the known pennellids. However, the dispensability of the free-swimming nauplius stage is independent of the egg-size. The copepodid antennae of the pennellids are certainly uniramous. The setation of the rami of the copepodid legs varies among pennellids.