Cyclops (copepod)

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Cyclops
Cyclops.jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Copepoda
Order: Cyclopoida
Family: Cyclopidae
Genus: Cyclops
O. F. Müller, 1785  [1]
Synonyms
  • MonoculusLinnaeus, 1758
  • NaupliusMüller, 1785
Female and male Cyclops bicuspidatus, the dominant cyclopoid species in Lake Michigan Cyclops bicuspidatus GLERL 1.jpg
Female and male Cyclops bicuspidatus , the dominant cyclopoid species in Lake Michigan

Cyclops is one of the most common genera of freshwater copepods, comprising over 400 species. [1] [2] Together with other similar-sized non-copepod fresh-water crustaceans, especially cladocera, they are commonly called water fleas. The name Cyclops comes from the Cyclops of Greek mythology, as they have a single large eye; in Cyclops, the eye may be either red or black.

Contents

Nauplius larva of Cyclops Nauplius larva of a cyclops copepod.jpg
Nauplius larva of Cyclops

Anatomy

Cyclops individuals may range from ½–5 mm long [3] and are clearly divided into two sections. The broadly oval front section comprises the head and the first five thoracic segments. The hind part is considerably slimmer and is made up of the sixth thoracic segment and the four legless pleonic segments. Two caudal appendages project from the rear. Although they may be difficult to observe, Cyclops has 5 pairs of legs. The long first antennae, 2 in number, are used by the males for gripping the females during mating. Afterwards, the female carries the eggs in two small sacs on her body. The larvae, or nauplii, are free-swimming and unsegmented.

Habitat

Cyclops has a cosmopolitan distribution in fresh water, but is less frequent in brackish water. It lives along the plant-covered banks of stagnant and slow-flowing bodies of water, where it feeds on small fragments of plant material, animals (such as nematodes), or carrion. It swims with characteristic jerky movements. Cyclops has the capacity to survive unsuitable conditions by forming a cloak of slime. Average lifespan is about 3 months.

Public health importance

Cyclops is intermediate host of dracunculiasis (guinea-worm disease) and fish tapeworm ( Diphyllobothrium latum ) infection. This disease can be passed to humans through drinking infected water. Dracunculiasis will rarely cause death but is a weakening disease. [4]

Control methods

Cyclops can be controlled using physical, chemical, biological and engineering methods.

Physical

Straining of water through piece of fine cloth is sufficient to remove Cyclops. It can also be killed by boiling water, as it is easily killed by heat at 60 °C.

Chemical

Chlorine in strength of 22 ppm destroys Cyclops in 2 hours; [5] although this concentration of chlorine gives bad odour and taste to water. Excess chlorine can be removed with sodium thiosulfate.

Biological

Small fish, like barbel and Gambusia , feed on Cyclops. This type of predation was used in the South Indian state of Karnataka to eradicate dracunculiasis. [6] Additionally, cyclops are widely sold in frozen packages at pet shops and fish stores as a supplemental fish food.

Engineering

Provision of drinking water through piping water supply, use of tubewells and abolition of stepwells are effective measures on community level. [7]

Species

Related Research Articles

<i>Diaptomus</i> Genus of crustaceans

Diaptomus is a genus of copepods with a single eye spot. It is superficially similar in size and appearance to Cyclops. However it has characteristically very long first antennae that exceed the body length. In addition, the females carry the eggs in a single sac rather than the twin sacs seen in Cyclops. It is a copepod of larger freshwater ponds, lakes and still waters.

Acanthocyclops is a genus of copepod crustaceans in the family Cyclopidae. It was originally described by Friedrich Kiefer as a subgenus of Cyclops, and contains the following species:

Afrocyclops is a genus of copepod crustaceans in the family Cyclopidae, containing the following species:

Arctodiaptomus is a genus of copepods in the family Diaptomidae.

<i>Attheyella</i> Genus of crustaceans

Attheyella is a genus of copepods in the family Canthocamptidae, containing the following species:

<i>Boeckella</i> Genus of crustaceans

Boeckella is a genus of copepods in the family Centropagidae.

<i>Eudiaptomus</i> Genus of crustaceans

Eudiaptomus is a genus of freshwater crustaceans in the family Diaptomidae. It contains the following species:

<i>Mesocyclops</i> Genus of crustaceans

Mesocyclops is a genus of copepod crustaceans in the family Cyclopidae. Because the various species of Mesocyclops are known to prey on mosquito larvae, it is used as a nontoxic and inexpensive form of biological mosquito control.

Metacyclops is a genus of copepod crustaceans in the family Cyclopidae, containing 61 species, of which three are listed on the IUCN Red List – M. campestris from Brazil, M. gasparoi from Italy (vulnerable) and M. postojnae from Slovenia (vulnerable).

Metadiaptomus is a genus of crustacean in the family Diaptomidae, containing the following species:

<i>Thermocyclops</i> Genus of crustaceans

Thermocyclops is a genus of crustacean in family Cyclopidae. It was first described and later extensively researched by Friedrich Kiefer, who discovered some 20 species. The species and subspecies of the genus inhabit fresh and brackish waters alike all around the world, although most are from tropical areas.

Tropocyclops is a genus of copepod crustaceans in the family Cyclopidae. It contains the following species:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cyclopidae</span> Family of crustaceans

Cyclopidae is a family of copepods containing more than half of the 1,200 species in the order Cyclopoida in over 70 genera.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Canthocamptidae</span> Family of crustaceans

Canthocamptidae is a family of copepods. Most of the 700 species are confined to fresh water, although there are also marine species. It contains the following genera:

<i>Acmaea</i> Genus of gastropods

Acmaea is a genus of sea snails, specifically true limpets, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Acmaeidae, one of the families of true limpets.

Megacyclops is a genus of copepods, containing the following species:

Halicyclops is a genus of copepods belonging to the family Cyclopidae. There are currently 94 described species found in brackish habitats throughout the world:

Microcyclops is a genus of copepods, containing the following species:

References

  1. 1 2 Daphne Cuvelier & T. Chad Walter. "Cyclops Müller, 1785". World Copepoda database.
  2. ↑ G. G. Marten (1986). "Issues in the development of Cyclops for mosquito control". In M. F. Uren; J. Blok; L.H. Manderson (eds.). Arbovirus Research in Australia: Proceedings of the Fifth Symposium (August 28 – September 1, 1989, Brisbane, Australia) (PDF). pp. 159–164.
  3. ↑ Reed & McIntyre (1995). Cyclops strenuus (Fischer, 1851) sensu lato in Alaska and Canada, with new records of occurrence
  4. ↑ "Cyclops" (PDF). WHO.
  5. ↑ MAJOR C. H H. HAROLD (October 1925). "FURTHER INVESTIGATION INTO THE STERILIZATION OF WATER BY CHLORINE AND SOME OF ITS COMPOUNDS" (PDF). BMJ Military Health. 45 (4): 251–273. Retrieved 18 March 2022.
  6. ↑ USA National Research Council; World Health Organization (1985). Workshop on opportunities for control of dracunculiasis, 16–19 June 1982, Washington, D.C. Contributed papers (PDF). Washington, D.C.: National Academy Press. pp. 153–177.
  7. ↑ Jan A. Rozendaal; World Health Organization (1997). Vector control: methods for use by individuals and communities. World Health Organisation. ISBN   9789241544948.
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