Copepods

One family

A superfamily of the Copepoda, with one family, CYCLOPIDAE (Code OJ319999) , recognisable by the body shape which is widest behind the head, tapering to the urosome. The antennules are up to 18-segmented and reach past the cephalosome to the metasome but not to the urosome. The antennules of males are symmetrical (contrast Calanoidea).

The taxonomy of this family is confused by inappropriate and uncritical use of northern hemisphere names for endemic taxa (Bayley, 1992 in Shiel, 1995).

Cyclopoids occur typically at the edges of lakes and ponds.

References:

Shiel, R.J. (1995) A Guide to Identification of Rotifers, Cladocerans and Copepods from Australian Inland Waters. Co-operative Research Centre for Freshwater Ecology Identification Guide No. 3., Albury, NSW.

Williams, W.D. (1980) Australian Freshwater Life: The Invertebrates of Australian Inland Waters.The Macmillan Company of Australia, Melbourne.