Higher Classification: > Kingdom Animalia > Subkingdom Eumetazoa > Phylum Arthropoda > Subphylum Crustacea > Superclass Multicrustacea > Class Copepoda > Infraclass Neocopepoda > Superorder Podoplea > Order Siphonostomatoida > Family Caligidae > Genus Lepeophtheirus

Lepeophtheirus salmonis (Krøyer, 1837)

Rank: Species
Taxon Status: accepted
Name Status: alternate representation

Relationships towards this taxon

Genus group names

*Lepeophtheirus*	von Nordmann, 1832	accepted genus name

Children

Lepeophtheirus salmonis salmonis (Krøyer, 1837)

Vernaculars (+) (-)

English: salmon louse sources: McLaughlin, P.A., D.K. Camp, M.V. Angel, E.L. Bousfield, P. Brunel, R.C. Brusca, A.C. Cohen, K. Conlan, L.G. Eldredge, D.L. Felder, J.W. Goy, T. Haney, B. Hann, R.W. Heard, E.A. Hendrycks, H.H. Hobbs III, J.R. Holsinger, B. Kensley, D.R. Laubitz, S.E. Le. 2005. Common and Scientific Names of Aquatic Invertebrates from the United States and Canada: Crustaceans. American Fisheries Society Special Publication 31. 545 pp. plus index. ISBN 1-888569-64-6

Norwegian: lakselus sources: PESI (A Pan-European Species directories Infrastructure) focal points

Norwegian Bokmål: lakselus; lakselus sources: PESI (A Pan-European Species directories Infrastructure) focal points

Norwegian Nynorsk: lakselus; lakselus

Literature

basis of record	Boxshall, G. (2001). Copepoda (excl. Harpacticoida), in: Costello, M.J. et al. (Ed.) (2001). European register of marine species: a check-list of the marine species in Europe and a bibliography of guides to their identification. Collection Patrimoines Naturels, 50: pp. 252-268
additional source	Harðardóttir, H.M. (2021). Chitin synthesis in the salmon louse Lepeophtheirus salmonis. Ph.D. Thesis, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway. 80 pp. + Appendices I-III.
additional source	Wootten, R., J.W. Smith & E.A. Needham. (1982). Aspects of the biology of the parasitic copepods Lepeophtheirus salmonis and Caligus elongatus on farmed salmonids, and their treatment. Proceedings of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, Section B, Biological Sciences 81(3):185-197, figs. 1-2, pls. 1-2. (15-vii-1982)
additional source	Tjensvoll, K. (2006). Studies on the mitochondrial genome and rDNA genes from the salmon louse, Lepeophtheirus salmonis. Ph.D. Thesis, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway. 61 pp.
additional source	Harasimczuk, E., A.C. Øvergard, S. Grotmol, F. Nilsen & S. Dalvin. (2018). Characterization of three salmon louse (Lepeophtheirus salmonis) genes with fibronectin II domains expressed by tegumental type 1 glands. Molecular and Biochemical Parasitology. 219:1-9.
additional source	Messmer, A.M. (2014). Evaluation of population structure in Pacific Lepeophtheirus salmonis (Krøyer) using polymorphic single nucleotide and microsatellite genetic markers: evidence for high gene flow among host species and habitats. M.Sc. Thesis, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. 116 pp.
additional source	Ritchie, G., A.J. Mordue, A.W. Pike & G.H. Rae. (1996). Observations on mating and reproductive behaviour of Lepeophtheirus salmonis, Kroyer (Copepoda: Caligidae). Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 201(1-2): 285-298.
additional source	Johnson, S.C. & L.J. Albright. (1991). The development stages of Lepeophtheirus salmonis (Kroyer, 1837) (Copepoda: Caligidae). Canadian Journal of Zoology 69(4):929-950.
additional source	Shiino, S.M. (1959). Sammlung der parasitischen Copepoden in der Präfectur Universität von Mie. [Collection of parasitic copepods at Mie Prefectural University.]. Reports of the Faculty of Fisheries, Prefectural University of Mie. 3(2):334-374, figs. 1-17. (30-xi-1959).
additional source	Freeman, M.A., A.S. Bell & C. Sommerville. (2003). A hyperparasitic microsporidian infecting the salmon louse, Lepeophtheirus salmonis: an rDNA-based molecular phylogenetic study. Journal of Fish Diseases. 26(11-12):667-676.
additional source	Brandal, P.O., E. Egidius & I. Romslo. (1976). Host blood: a major food component for the parasitic copepod Lepeophtheirus salmonis Kröyer, 1838 (Crustacea: Caligidae). Norwegian Journal of Zoology 24(4):341-343, figs. 1-3. (xii-1976)
additional source	Brandal, P.O. & E. Egidius. (1977). Preliminary report on oral treatment against salmon lice, Lepeophtheirus salmonis, with neguvon. Aquaculture. 10:177-178.
additional source	Øvergård, A.C., A. Borchel , C. Eichner, S. Hjertaker, J. Nagata, H.M.D. Midtbø, P.A. Nelson, F. Nilsen & L.A. Hamre. (2025). The generalist Caligus elongatus is better at dampening the Atlantic salmon immune response than the salmonid specialist Lepeophtheirus salmonis. Fish and Shellfish Immunology. 160:1-15.
additional source	Wilson, C.B. (1932). The copepods of the Woods Hole region, Massachusetts. Bulletin of the United States National Museum. 158:1-635, figs. 1-316, pls. 1-41.
additional source	Kabata, Z. (1979). Parasitic Copepoda of British Fishes. The Ray Society, London. 152: i-xii, 1-468, figs. 1-203.
additional source	Johannessen, A. (1978). Early stages of Lepeophtheirus salmonis (Copepoda, Caligidae). Sarsia 63(3):169-176, figs. 1-4, tabs. 1-4. (20-iv-1978)
additional source	Wilson, C.B. (1905). North American parasitic copepods belonging to the family Caligidae. Part 1.- The Caliginae. Proceedings of the United States National Museum 28(1404):479-672, pls. 5-29. (23-vi-1905).
additional source	Brunel, P., L. Bosse & G. Lamarche. (1998). Catalogue of the marine invertebrates of the estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence. Canadian Special Publication of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, 126. 405 pp.
additional source	Gusev, A.V. (1951). Parazitičeskie Copepoda s nekotoryh morskih ryb. [Parasitic Copepoda of some marine fishes.]. Parazitičeskij sbornik Zoologičeskogo instituta Akademii Nauk SSSR. 13: 394-463, figs. 1-37. (Russian).
additional source	Johnson, S.C. (1991). The biology of Lepeophtheirus salmonis (Kroyer, 1837) (Copepoda: Caligidae). Ph.D. Thesis, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada. 310 pp.
additional source	Borchel, A., H. Kongshaug & F. Nilsen. (2019). Identification and Description of the Key Molecular Components of the Egg Strings of the Salmon Louse (Lepeophtheirus salmonis). Genes (Basel). 10(12):1-17.
additional source	Bron, J.E., C. Sommerville, M. Jones & G.H. Rae. (1991). The settlement and attachment of early stages of the salmon louse, Lepeophtheirus salmonis (Copepoda: Caligidae) on the salmon host, Salmo salar. Journal of Zoology, London 224:201-212, figs. 1-2, pls. 1-2. (12.vi.1991).
additional source	Margolis, L. (1958). The identity of the species of Lepeophtheirus (Copepoda) on Pacific salmon (genus Oncorhynchus) and Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). Canadian Journal of Zoology 36:889-892.
additional source	Skern-Mauritzen, R., P. Frost, L.A. Hamre, H. Kongshaug & F. Nilsen. (2007). Molecular characterization and classification of a clip domain containing peptidase from the ectoparasite Lepeophtheirus salmonis (Copepoda, Crustacea). Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part B: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. 146(2):289-298.
additional source	Gusev, A.V. (1987). Class Crustacea Lamarck, 1801. In: Bauer, O.N. (ed.). Key to the Parasites of Freshwater Fishes of the USSR. Opredeliteli po Faune SSSR, Zoologicheskii Instituta SSSR. Nauka, Leningrad 3(149):378-432.
additional source	Thompson, C.R.S. (2022). The salmon louse larval black box: evaluating fecundity and enumerating planktonic stages with an aquaculture management perspective. Ph.D. Dissertation, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway. 101 pp.
additional source	Nylund, A., S. Okland & B. Bjorknes. (1992). Anatomy and ultrastructure of the alimentary canal in Lepeophtheirus salmonis (Copepoda: Siphonostomatoida). Journal of Crustacean Biology 12(3):423-437.
additional source	Ritchie, G. (1993). Studies on the reproductive biology of Lepeophtheirus salmonis (Kroyer, 1838) on Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar, L.). Ph.D. Thesis, Aberdeen University, Faculty of Biological Science, Aberdeen. 146 pp.
additional source	Berger, V.Y. (1970). Deistvie morskoi vody raznoi solenosti na Lepeophtheirus salmonis (Kröyer) i ektoparazita semgi. [The effect of sea water of different salinity on Lepeophtheirus salmonis, an ectoparasite of salmon.]. Parazitologiya. 4(2):136-138, fig. 1-2. (25-iii-1970, Russian with English summary).
additional source	Brandal, P.O. (1977). Neguvon (0,0-dimetyl-1-hydroksy-2,2,2-trikloretylfosfonat), et organofosfat til behandling av laks, Salmo salar, infisert med lakselus, Lepeophtheirus salmonis, Kroyer (Copepoda: Caligidae). (Neguvon (0,0-dimethyl-1-hydroxy-2,2,2-trichlorethylphosphonate) Master's Thesis, University of Bergen, Norway. (In Norwegian.)
additional source	Hastein, T. & T. Bergsjo. (1976). The salmon lice Lepeophtheirus salmonis as the cause of disease in farmed salmonids. Rivista Italiana di Piscicoltura e Ittiopatologia. 11(1)1-3, figs. 1-3.
additional source	Markevich, A.P. (1937). Copepoda parasitica prisnikh vod SRSR. Copepoda parasitica der Binnengewässer der USSR. [Copepods parasitic on freshwater fishes of the USSR.]. Institut Zoologii i Biologii, Akademiya Nauk Ukrainii SSR, Kiev. :1-223, figs. 1-10, pls. 1-27.
additional source	Markevich, A.P. (1956). Paraziticheskie veslonogie ryb SSSR. [Parasitic copepods of fishes of the USSR.]. Akademiya Nauk Ukraine SSR, Institut Zoology, Kiev. 259 pp. figs. 1-153.
additional source	Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS).
additional source	Fast, M.D. (2005). Host immunomodulation by Lepeophtheirus salmonis. Ph.D. Thesis, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. 246 pp.
additional source	White, H.C. (1942). Life history of Lepeophtheirus salmonis. Journal of the Fisheries Research Board of Canada 6(1):24-29, figs. 1-2.
additional source	Margolis, L. & B. Berland. (1984). A nomenclatural note concerning Binoculus salmoneus Müller, 1785 and Lepeophtheirus salmonis (Kroyer, 1837) (Copepoda: Caligidae). Sarsia 69:219. (29-xii-1984)
additional source	Carli, A. & C.L. Bruzzone. (1978). Recherches sur les Copépodes parasites des poissons du golfe de Gascogne. Lepeophtheirus salmonis Kröyer, 1838 (Copepoda: Caligidae). III ème contribution. [Research on Copepod parasites of fish in the Bay of Biscay. Lepeophtheirus salmonis Kröyer, 1838 (Copepoda: Caligidae). Third contribution.]. Annuario dell'Istituto e del Museo di Zoologia dell'Università di Napoli. 22:61-76, figs. 1-23, tabs. 1-2. (22-xii-1978).
additional source	Brandal, P.O. & E. Egidius. (1979). Treatment of salmon lice (Lepeophtheirus salmonis Kroyer, 1838) with Neguvon. Description of method and equipment. Aquaculture 18(2):183-188, figs. 1-6. (x-1979)
additional source	Johnson, S.C. & L.J. Albright. (1991). Development, growth, and survival of Lepeophtheirus salmonis (Copepoda: Caligidae) under laboratory conditions. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 71(2):425-436, figs. 1-5, tabs. 1-3. (v-1991)
additional source	Taccardi, E. (2020). Biophysical and stable isotopic profiles of the salmon louse Lepeophtheirus salmonis (Krøyer, 1837). Ph.D. Dissertation, University of Maine, Orono, Maine, USA. 84 pp.
additional source	Kim, I.H. (2008). Invertebrate fauna of Korea. Arthropoda: Crustacea: Copepoda: Siphonostomatoida: Calgidae, Sea Lice. National Institute of Biological Resources, Inchon, South Korea. 21(1):75 pp.
additional source	Ho, J.S. & K. Nagasawa. (2001). Why infestation by Lepeophtheirus salmonis (Copepoda: Caligidaae) is not a problem in the Coho salmon Farming industry in Japan. Journal of Crustacean Biology 21(4):954-960

Genbank

Citation

Walter, T.C.; Boxshall, G. (2025). World of Copepods Database. Lepeophtheirus salmonis (Krøyer, 1837). Via: Costello, M.J.; Bouchet, P.; Boxshall, G.; Arvantidis, C.; Appeltans, W. (2011) European Register of Marine Species, Accessed through PESI at http://www.eu-nomen.eu/portal/taxon.php?GUID=urn:lsid:marinespecies.org:taxname:135782

Dr. Geoffrey Boxshall. Lepeophtheirus salmonis (Krøyer, 1837). Accessed through: Fauna Europaea at https://portal.cybertaxonomy.org/fauna-europaea/cdm_dataportal/taxon/9688362a-910b-48a8-a256-c9c0cd2dbcef