Abstract
To discriminate between individuals and groups of individuals, the vital stain neutral red was used to mark developmental stages of the parasitic copepod Lernaeocera branchialis (L.). The copepod has a marked ability to accumulate the stain, and the red colour of stained parasites lasts for ca 3 to 4 wk. Experiments demonstrate that exposure to 0.01 g l-1 neutral red for 1 h does not reduce survival or interfere with mating and host-finding. The low toxicity and persistence of the stain suggest that it may be a useful tool in experimental work with copepods.

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