"The Copepoda represent one of the most abundant and widespread groups of invertebrates in the deep-sea hydrothermal vents of Atlantic and Pacific oceans.

Among more than 500 species of invertebrates found in the deep-sea hydrothermal vents, 73 are copepods, belonging to five orders. Of these, 51 species of copepods belong to the family Dirivultidae Humes & Dojiri, 1980 (Siphonostomatoida) and were observed as free-living or associated to invertebrates in the deep-sea hydrothermal vents only (Humes, 1996, 1997; Humes & Segonzac, 1998; Ivanenko, 1998; Heptner & Ivanenko, 2002; Ivanenko & Ferrari, 2003). Until now, only seven species (from 6 genera and 5 families) of harpacticoid copepods have been reported from deep-sea hydrothermal vents.

About 60 species of copepods belonging to five orders were described from eleven sites of the Pacific Ocean, six of which are harpacticoid species. Four species are free-living: Andromastax muricatus Conroy-Dalton & Huys, 1999 (Aegisthidae) and Argestoides prehensilis Huys & Conroy- Dalton, 1997 (Argestidae) from the Galapagos Rift; Bathylaophonte pacifica Lee & Huys, 1999 (Laophontidae) from the East Pacific Rise; and Uptionyx verenae Conroy- Dalton & Huys, 2000 (Ancorabolidae) from the Juan de Fuca Ridge. Two harpacticoid species of the subfamily Cholidyinae (Tisbidae) parasitize deep water cephalopods: Genesis vulcanoctopusi López-González et al., 2000 from the Juan de Fuca Ridge and Cholidya polypi Farran, 1914 from the East Pacific Rise (Humes & Voight, 1997). Fourteen species of copepods have been reported from five sites of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. The harpacticoid Bathylaophonte azorica Lee & Huys, 1999 (Laophontidae) was found in benthic samples at 37°N (Lucky Strike, Menez Gwen).

Thirteen species are siphonostomatoids of the family Dirivultidae (Ivanenko & Ferrari, 2003). However, only three dirivultids (Aphotopontius atlanteus Humes, 1996, A. temperatus Humes, 1997; and Stygiopontius rimivagus Humes, 1997) were reported from the Lucky Strike vent field. " [from: Ivanenko & Defaye, 2004]