This study synthesizes global knowledge on coral-associated copepod diversity, integrating 160 published taxonomic investigations with recent molecular datasets from the Indo-Pacific and the Caribbean. Research focuses specifically on the coral families Pocilloporidae and Euphylliidae (including Galaxea), alongside the highly diversified copepod family Anchimolgidae.
By combining taxonomic and molecular evidence, this work uncovers critical hidden diversity, previously unrecognized host associations, and pronounced zoogeographic fragmentation among copepod assemblages across distinct reef ecoregions. Notably, this distribution reveals a highly unique pattern of strong regional structuring and broad host specificity across taxa, which diverges from trends documented in other coral-associated invertebrates or algal symbionts. Ultimately, this synthesis delineates major knowledge gaps and illuminates emerging biogeographic and ecological paradigms vital for deciphering coral–copepod symbioses across tropical reef systems.