Dahl, 1956
The Class Maxillopoda consists of crustaceans that have five cephalic, six thoracic and usually four abdominal somites and a telson. The thoracomeres are variously fused with the cephalon. Caudal rami are usually present. The thoracic segments have biramous (sometimes, however, uniramous) appendages that lack epipods (except in many Ostracoda). Carapace present or reduced, eyes variable, but naupliar eyes (if present) are unique, with three cups, each with tapetal cells.
Mostly regarded as a monophyletic taxon, however, there is still some controversy about its diagnosis and the component groups.
Maxillopoda are mostly small crustaceans (cirripeds, or barnacles are the exception); the body is shortened, especially by the reduced abdomen; a full complement of legs is absent.
The Class Maxillopoda comprises the following subclasses (those marked with * are not included in this volume) :
Subclass Mystacocarida*
Subclass Ostracoda
Subclass Copepoda*
Subclass Branchiura*
Subclass Tantulocarida*
Subclass Cirripedia
[After Brusca and Brusca, 1990]