Cyclops is one of the most common
genera of
freshwatercopepods, 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.
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.
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]
Cyclops is one of the most common
genera of
freshwatercopepods, 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.
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.
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]