Ultrastructure of the cuticle of the chalimus larva of the salmon louse Lepeophtheirus salmonis (Krøyer, 1837) (Copepoda: Caligidae)

The cuticle of the chalimus II stage of Lepeophtheirus salmonis (Copepoda: Caligidae) comprised a four-layered epicuticle with a pronounced fuzzy coat which was separated from the outer and inner procuticles by a layer of transitional procuticle. The cuticle is underlain by a single-layered epidermis which overlies integumental glands and chromatophores. The structure of this cuticle is very similar to that described for free-living copepods and does not display the modifications associated with more highly transformed parasitic species.