User:Nicoleandreola/Cyclops (copepod)

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Cyclops is one of the most common genera of freshwater copepods, comprising over 400 species. 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. Copepods are a necessary part of the food chain for many different species of fish.

Anatomy
Cyclops individuals may range from ½–5 mm but the majority are 0.5 to 2 mm long 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. A determining factor of a copepod being a cyclops is when the length of it's caudal rami is 4 times it's width. Two caudal appendages project from the rear. Although they may be difficult to observe, Cyclops has 5 pairs of legs. The long first antennae which contains 17 segments, 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.

Public health importance[edit]
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 that contain the larvae of D. medinensis. Dracunculiasis will rarely cause death but is a weakening disease.

Control methods[edit]
Cyclops can be controlled using physical, chemical, biological and engineering methods.

Physical[edit]
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[edit]
Chlorine in strength of 22 ppm destroys Cyclops in 2 hours; although this concentration of chlorine gives bad odour and taste to water. Excess chlorine can be removed with Sodium thiosulfate. Calcium hydroxide at dosage of 4 gram per gallon of water can be used. Temefos kills cyclops at concentration of 1 mg/litre.

Biological[edit]
Small fish like barbel and Gambusia feed on Cyclops. This type of predation was used in Indian state of Karnataka to eradicate dracunculiasis.

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