Pronunciation: [sˈa͡ɪaməs] (IPA) 
The word "cyamus" is spelled with a combination of letters that represent various sounds. In IPA phonetic transcription, it is written as /ˈsaɪəməs/. The first sound is the "s" sound followed by the "ai" diphthong, which represents the long "i" sound. The third sound is the "ə" or schwa sound, which is a neutral vowel sound. The final sound is the "m" sound. This spelling accurately represents the pronunciation of the word "cyamus."
Cyamus is a noun that refers to a type of crustacean commonly known as the whale louse. It belongs to the family Cyamidae and is characterized by its small size, flattened body, and parasitic nature. The word "cyamus" is derived from the Greek language, where "kyamos" means "whale."
These tiny arthropods are ectoparasitic, meaning they live on the external surface of their host organism, which is predominantly whales. Cyamus species are specifically adapted to attach themselves to whale skin, utilizing specialized appendages called uropods and branched claws that allow them to cling onto their hosts securely.
Cyamids have an oval-shaped body with a range of colors, usually varying from light gray to dark brown. They exhibit sexual dimorphism, with females being typically larger than males. These crustaceans lack any form of protection, such as a carapace, and have reduced appendages for swimming and locomotion. Instead, their flattened bodies enable them to move easily along the surface of the whales they inhabit.
Despite being referred to as lice, cyamids are not directly related to insects, but rather belong to the class Malacostraca. They feed on dead skin, algae, and various crustaceans that become trapped in the whale's baleen plates. Cyamids are considered to be host-specific parasites, rarely leaving their host unless it dies or is stranded ashore. However, their infestations can sometimes reach such high numbers that they may negatively impact the health of the whale population.
The word "cyamus" is derived from the Latin term "cyamus" or "cyamus, -i" which means "cup", "goblet", or "drinking cup". It is ultimately derived from the Greek word "kyamos" (κύαμος) with the same meaning.
