Isopods are one of the most diverse orders of
crustaceans, with many species living in all environments, but are most common in shallow marine waters. Unlike most crustaceans, isopods are successful on land (suborder Oniscidea,
woodlice, which also includes
sea slaters), although their greatest diversity remains in the deep sea (suborder Asellota). There are also several parasitic species within the
genus Cymothoa, commonly known as "
tongue-biters" for their habit of nibbling off fishes' tongues and attaching themselves to the floor of the host's mouth. The isopods are an ancient group with
fossils known from the
Carboniferous (suborder Phreatoicidea, family Paleophreatoicidae) that only differ slightly from modern
southern hemisphere freshwater phreatoicideans.
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(n. pl.)
An order of sessile-eyed Crustacea, usually having seven pairs of legs, which are all similar in structure.
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