FEATURES:

 

COMMON NAME:

  • Cyclops

MORPHOLOGY:

  • Size range is from 0.5-2.0mm
  • Cylindrical and segmented bodies with two setose, and caudal rami on the posterior end of the abdomen
  • Single, simple anterior eye
  • (Thorp, 1991 pg.11-12)

FUNCTIONAL FEEDING GROUP:

  • Free living except for two of the seven orders that are parasites on freshwater fish
  • This order plays an important role in the food web as a major food source for fish and larger invertebrates