Hesperodiaptomus
Hesperodiaptomus is a genus of copepods in the family Diaptomidae. The genus was first described by Edmondson in 1959. The name Hesperodiaptomus is derived from the Greek words hesperos (meaning "evening") and diaptomus (meaning "swimmer").
Description[edit | edit source]
Hesperodiaptomus species are small crustaceans, typically measuring between 1 and 2 millimeters in length. They are characterized by their segmented bodies, which are divided into a head, thorax, and abdomen. The head and thorax are fused together to form a cephalothorax, which is covered by a protective carapace.
The genus is distinguished by the presence of a fifth pair of legs that are modified for grasping and mating. Males of Hesperodiaptomus have a unique structure on the right first antenna, which is used to grasp the female during mating.
Distribution and habitat[edit | edit source]
Hesperodiaptomus species are found in freshwater habitats across North America, including lakes, ponds, and temporary pools. They are particularly common in the western United States and Canada.
These copepods are typically found in the water column, where they feed on phytoplankton and other small particles. They are an important part of the food chain, serving as a food source for larger organisms such as fish and birds.
Species[edit | edit source]
There are currently 10 recognized species in the genus Hesperodiaptomus:
- Hesperodiaptomus arcticus
- Hesperodiaptomus franciscanus
- Hesperodiaptomus kenai
- Hesperodiaptomus shoshone
- Hesperodiaptomus francisi
- Hesperodiaptomus arizonensis
- Hesperodiaptomus nevadensis
- Hesperodiaptomus coloradensis
- Hesperodiaptomus idahoensis
- Hesperodiaptomus oregonensis
See also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
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