Invertebrate · GBIF taxon 2116860
Cyclops strenuus
Cyclops strenuusCyclops strenuus is a ubiquitous freshwater copepod that navigates quiet waters using rapid, jerky bursts propelled by its elongated first antennae. Females frequently carry two symmetrical, teardrop-shaped egg sacs attached to their abdomen, releasing free-swimming nauplius larvae after a brief incubation. As both an active micro-predator and an abundant food source, it plays an indispensable hinge role linking microbial food webs to larger aquatic life.
PlanktonicAquaticMicroscopic
Licensed referenceUS Geological Survey / Public domain · cc0
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Rotifers
- Paramecium ciliates
- Unicellular green algae
Predators
- Three-spined stickleback
- Glassworm larva
- Dragonfly nymph
ThreatsAgricultural runoff, pesticide pollution, and pond desiccation
HabitatsPonds, vernal pools, ditches, and shallow lake margins
Life span1–12 months
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderCyclopoida
- FamilyCyclopidae
- GenusCyclops
- SpeciesCyclops strenuus
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Collection: Scoop surface water near submerged pond weeds using a fine mesh plankton net.
- Observation: Place specimens in a concave depression slide under low-power magnification to view live heartbeats.
- Lighting: Use darkfield or oblique illumination to highlight the single red median eye.
Competitor (c) Dieter Ebert, Basel, Switzerland, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
Predator Viridiflavus / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
Image unavailableSame Genus
Help improve the field guideSomething wrong?
Checking your Fauna account…Report a name, category, or profile issue for review.