Hello, I recently collected a harpacticoid copepod from a desalination plant discharge site located very close to an estuary. This copepod exhibited remarkable resistance: I stored it in an Eppendorf tube at 3°C in a fridge for eight days, without food or oxygen, and it remained alive.
Given these unusual characteristics, I would greatly appreciate your expertise in identifying this copepod species
Thank you
The copepod you collected appears to belong to the order Harpacticoida, based on its morphology and habitat characteristics. Harpacticoid copepods are typically benthic (living on or near the substrate) but are also known for their resilience, which aligns with the remarkable survival traits you observed.
Identification Notes:
Possible Species:
Given the location (estuarine environment) and survival traits, it could belong to genera like Scottolana or Pseudostenhelia, which are known to inhabit estuarine and brackish water environments. For example:
- Scottolana canadensis is a semisessile burrow-dweller capable of surviving in challenging conditions.
- Pseudostenhelia wellsi builds mucus tubes and can survive in sediment-rich environments.
Recommendations for Further Identification:
The copepod's ability to survive under such harsh conditions is indeed fascinating and highlights its potential ecological importance in estuarine ecosystems!
Thank you very much for your explanation, it helped me a lot. Do you have any work on copepods? Thanks again
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