Dendrogaster antarctica is an endoparasitic ascothoracid in the family Dendrogastridae that parasitizes on the common Antarctica cushion star, Odontaster validus. It has been found in several sites in Antarctica and was originally discovered by Mark J. Grygier in 1980. He then released an article in 1987 explaining the characteristics of a female member of the species. It was confirmed as an official species in 2003.
It has extremely small sperm. Their heads are 6âÂÂ7 üm, long, The midpiece is as long as the head, and tapers to a flagellum 45âÂÂ50 üm long. This sperm is the most primitive yet found in crustaceans.