Diaptomus is a genus of copepods with a single eye spot. It is superficially similar in size and appearance to Cyclops. However it has characteristically very long first antennae that exceed the body length. In addition, the females carry the eggs in a single sac rather than the twin sacs seen in Cyclops. It is a copepod of larger freshwater ponds, lakes and still waters.

Diaptomus
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Copepoda
Order: Calanoida
Family: Diaptomidae
Genus: Diaptomus
Westwood, 1836
Unidentified species of Diaptomus from the Great Lakes

Species

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Diaptomus contains more than 60 species; many species formerly included in Diaptomus are now in separate genera such as Aglaodiaptomus and Notodiaptomus.[1] One species, the German endemic D. rostripes, is included on the IUCN Red List as a Data Deficient species.[2]

References

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  1. ^ T. Chad Walter; Geoff Boxshall, eds. (2009). "Diaptomus Westwood, 1836". World Copepoda database. World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved February 19, 2010.
  2. ^ J. W. Reid (1996). "Diaptomus rostripes". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 1996: e.T6522A12787259. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.1996.RLTS.T6522A12787259.en. Retrieved 6 January 2018.