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The Nonindigenous Occurrences section of the NAS species profiles has a new structure. The section is now dynamically updated from the NAS database to ensure that it contains the most current and accurate information. Occurrences are summarized in Table 1, alphabetically by state, with years of earliest and most recent observations, and the tally and names of drainages where the species was observed. The table contains hyperlinks to collections tables of specimens based on the states, years, and drainages selected. References to specimens that were not obtained through sighting reports and personal communications are found through the hyperlink in the Table 1 caption or through the individual specimens linked in the collections tables.

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Common name: a copepod

Taxonomy: available through www.itis.gov

Size: Approximately 1 mm in length (Matsumura-Tundisi and Silva, 2002).

Native Range: Widespread in Africa and Asia (Hribar and Reid, 2008).

Alaska	Hawaii	Puerto Rico & Virgin Islands	Guam Saipan

Hydrologic Unit Codes (HUCs) Explained
Interactive maps: Point Distribution Maps

Ecology: This species is found in freshwater to oligohaline lakes and reservoirs (Hribar and Reid, 2008). At 30 °C, this copepod develops from egg to adult in 8 days (Bonou et al. 1991 as cited in Hribar and Reid, 2008). They migrate vertically upward at night and back down during the day (Hribar and Reid, 2008). They feed on other copepods, cladocerans, rotifiers, and algae (Hribar and Reid, 2008). Younger copepodids primarily are herbivorous (Gophen, 1977 as cited in Hribar and Reid, 2008).

Means of Introduction: The origins are unknown but it is highly likely it came to the United States through the ornamental plant trade. Some copepods have been known to be found in the leaves of bromeliads and in the soils of ornamental plants (Hribar and Reid, 2008). In South America, where it is also considered introduced, Matsumura-Tundisi and Silva (2002) believe it may have come with shipments of African fishes.

Impact of Introduction: Unknown. They are known to prey on mosquito larvae of the yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti (L.), (Marten and Reid, 2007 as cited in Hribar and Reid, 2008). Mesocyclops ogunnus may be able to successfully compete with the native copepod, Mesocyclops edax (Hribar and Reid, 2008).

Remarks: This is the first documentation of this species in the United States and was found during routine sampling for mosquito larvae. This copepod species can survive and reproduce in waters up to 5 parts per thousand (ppt) salinity (Bonou et al., 1991 as cited in Hribar and Reid, 2008).

References: (click for full references)

Bonou, C.A., Pagano, M., and Saint-Jean, L. 1991. Développement et croissance en poids de Moina (cf) micrura et de Mesocyclops ogunnus dans un milieu saumâtre tropical—Les étangs de pisciculture de Layo (Côte-d’Ivoire). Revue d’Hydrobiologie Tropicale 24:287–303.

Gophen, M. 1977. Food and feeding habits of Mesocyclops leuckarti (Claus) in Lake Kinneret (Israel). Freshwater Biology 7:513–518.

Hribar, L.J., and Reid, J.W. 2008. New records of copepods (Crustacea) from the Florida Keys. Southeastern Naturalist 7(2):219—228.

Marten, G.G. and Reid, J.W. 2007. Cyclopoid copepods, IN: Floore, T.G. (ed.), Biorational control of mosquitoes. American Mosquito Control Association Bulletin 7. Supplement to the Journal of the American Mosquito Control Association 23(2):65–92.

Matsumura-Tundisi, T., and Silva, W.M. 2002. Occurence of Mesocyclops ogunnus Onabamiro, 1957 (Copepoda Cyclopoida) in water bodies of Sao Paulo State, identified as Mesocyclops kieferi Van de Velde, 1984. Brazilian Journal of Biology 62(4A):615—620.

Author: Benson, A.J.

This information is preliminary or provisional and is subject to revision. It is being provided to meet the need for timely best science. The information has not received final approval by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and is provided on the condition that neither the USGS nor the U.S. Government shall be held liable for any damages resulting from the authorized or unauthorized use of the information.