Combat between predatory copepods and their prey: Cyclops, Epischura, and Bosmina1

Abstract

Predatory copepods are not imprecise hunters: they are capable of sophisticated behavior. Pelagic species (Cyclops, Epischura) usually sense approaching prey from a distance and must judge approach angle and prey speed, reorient during attack, and often vary their handling responses. Below certain crucial sizes that trigger avoidance responses in the predator, attack distances are related to prey size and speed. Cyclopoids and predatory calanoids (Epischwa) capture and handle prey differently, and the morphology of the first maxillae reflects these modes. Apparently, the coexistence of certain small-bodied cladocerans (Bosmina, Chydorms) with predatory copepods results more from the evolution of effective defenses in the prey than from the clumsiness of the predator.

Toxicity effect of Delonix elata (Yellow Gulmohr) and predatory efficiency of Copepod, Mesocyclops aspericornis for the control of dengue vector, Aedes aegypti

“…M. albidus was a more efficient predator of younger than of older larvae. M. aspericornis consumed about 33 to 50 first instar larvae of Ae. aegypti within 24 h period.…”

“…Swimming behaviour, as well as size, has been shown to influence predation success in copepods [33,34] . These studies reported that copepod species preyed mainly on early instar larvae of mosquito and almost null predatory capacity upon older larvae was not surprising, considered that copepod cyclopoids are generally not large enough to kill third and fourth instar mosquito larvae.…”

Laboratory evaluation of Mesocyclops annulatus (Wierzejski, 1892) (Copepoda: Cyclopidea) as a predator of container-breeding mosquitoes in Argentina

“…aegypti larvae by M. annulatus resulting in the differential predation observed. Previous studies have shown 1st instar mosquito density the importance of morphological and behavioral characteristics other than prey size as defense mechanisms from predation by cyclopoids (Kerfoot 1978, Williamson 1983.…”

Water flows produced by Daphnia and Diaptomus: Implications for prey selection by mechanosensory predators

“…Visual conspicuousness in prey body size, shape, pigmentation, and motion can all influence the selection by planktivorous fish (O'Brien 1979). Many invertebrate predators, such as Calanoid and cyclopoid copepods, insect larvae, and chaetognaths, use sensory setae to detect the hydrodynamic disturbances produced by the swimming motions of their zooplankton prey (Horridge and Boulton 1967;Strickler andBal1973;Strickler 1975;Kerfoot 1978). Prey selection by mechanosensory invertebrate predators is thus influenced by the hydrodynamic conspicuousness of their prey.…”