Polyphemus pediculus
This record describes Polyphemus pediculus (species). Recorded family: Polyphemidae. Recorded order: Diplostraca.
Identification and Appearance
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Branchiopoda
- Order
- Diplostraca
- Suborder
- Cladocera
- Family
- Polyphemidae
- Genus
- Polyphemus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
About Diplostraca: the wider group
Order-level background for Diplostraca, the group containing Polyphemus pediculus. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Diplostraca includes ~3,500 described species of water fleas (Daphnia) and clam shrimp. Daphnia are among the most studied organisms in ecology and toxicology - they reproduce by parthenogenesis, producing only females under good conditions.
Ecological role of the group
Daphnia are keystone species in freshwater food webs - they filter algae from water and are primary prey for fish. A single Daphnia can filter up to 4 mL of water per hour, and their populations can dramatically improve water clarity in lakes.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Daphnia are the global standard test organism for aquatic toxicology (EPA, OECD). They are essential in aquaculture as live food for fish fry. The Daphnia genome was the first crustacean genome to be sequenced (2011).
Recorded sources for this group: EPA ecotoxicology, freshwater ecology, genomics. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Polyphemus pediculus (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Eric Moody