Mesocyclops

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Mesocyclops
Mesocyclops ogunnus
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Copepoda
Order: Cyclopoida
Family: Cyclopidae
Genus: Mesocyclops
G. O. Sars, 1914
Type species
Mesocyclops leuckarti
(Claus, 1857)[1]

Mesocyclops is a genus of copepod crustaceans in the family Cyclopidae. Because the various species of Mesocyclops are known to prey on mosquito larvae, it is used as a nontoxic and inexpensive form of biological mosquito control.

Biological control

Individuals of Mesocyclops can be easily harvested, bred and released into freshwater containers where the Aedes aegypti mosquito larvae (the vector of Dengue fever) live.[2] A big advantage of the Mesocyclops is that it is possible to teach schoolchildren how to recognize and collect them so that communities are able to perform sustainable mosquito control without much professional or governmental assistance.

A field trial in Vietnam has shown that large-scale elimination of Aedes aegypti larvae is possible. Because Mesocyclops is a host for the parasitic round worm Guinea worm (Dracunculus medinensis, the causative agent of dracunculiasis), this method is potentially hazardous in the small number of countries where the Guinea worm still occurs. Furthermore, many cultures have traditions and customs that forbid the introduction of animals into freshwater storage vessels as dangerous taboos.[3][4][5]

Species

The genus Mesocyclops contains 92 species and 2 species nomen dubium:[6]

References

  1. ^ Mária Holynski & Frank Fiers (January 1994). "Mesocyclops thermocyclopoides species-group: redefinition and content". Hydrobiologia. 292: 41–51. doi:10.1007/BF00229921. S2CID 11615915.
  2. ^ "Water bug aids dengue fever fight". BBC News. February 11, 2005. Retrieved November 20, 2007.
  3. ^ B. Kay & S. N. Vu (2005). "New strategy against Aedes aegypti in Vietnam". The Lancet. 365 (9459): 613–7. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(05)17913-6. PMID 15708107. S2CID 9636774.
  4. ^ S. N. Vu; T. Y. Nguyen; V. P. Tran; et al. (January 2005). "Elimination of dengue by community programs using Mesocyclops (Copepoda) against Aedes aegypti in central Vietnam". American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. 72 (1): 67–73. doi:10.4269/ajtmh.2005.72.67. PMID 15728869.
  5. ^ G. G. Marten & J. W. Reid (2007). "Cyclopoid copepods". Journal of the American Mosquito Control Association. 23 (2 Suppl): 65–92. doi:10.2987/8756-971X(2007)23[65:CC]2.0.CO;2. PMID 17853599. S2CID 7645668.
  6. ^ T. Chad Walter (2018). T. Chad Walter; Geoff Boxshall (eds.). "Mesocyclops Sars G.O., 1914". World Copepoda database. World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved May 5, 2018.