Life cycle of Paracyclops pilosus Dussart, 1983 (Crustacea: Copepoda: Cyclopoida) and first record in Brazil

Abstract

Paracyclops pilosus (Copepoda, Cyclopoida) is a typical benthic organism that also occurs in the water column. In this study, we report the first occurrence of this species in Brazil. Live adult individuals were acquired and maintained in laboratory cultures. Experiments were performed to address the parameters of the life cycle of this species. Adult males and females were maintained in water from the Negro River that was previously filtered in growth chambers, and were fed with the microalgae Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata and Ceriodaphnia silvestrii neonates. In these conditions, P. pilosus exhibited a short life cycle with an average duration of 12.8 days from egg-hatching to the adult stage. The developmental characteristics were similar to those that have been reported for other species of Cyclopoida; however, the duration we obtained for its post-embryonic development was longer than those that have been reported for other cyclopoid species at 25°C. Because this species is adapted to high temperatures, it is possible that its optimum development occurs at temperatures greater than 25°C. P. pilosus may be more widely distributed in the Amazon region than previously reported because this species may have been overlooked due to its small size and cryptic benthic habits.