MESOCYCLOPS AND THERMOCYCLOPS (COPEPODA, CYCLOPIDAE) IN THE MAJOR VISAYAS ISLANDS (CENTRAL PHILIPPINES)

Our knowledge of the freshwater cyclopid copepods of the Visayas Islands remains poor as compared to other terrestrial and aquatic fauna. This study focuses on two genera, Mesocyclops and Thermocyclops, which are common components of lake plankton communities. This study included specimens collected from 59 sampling sites found in major islands (Panay, Negros, Cebu, Bohol, Leyte and Samar) and a small island (Pacijan) in the Visayas region. Four species of Mesocyclops and three species of Thermocyclops were identified. This includes the first record of Mesocyclops woutersi in the Philippines, which was so far unknown from insular SE Asia. The endemic Mesocyclops microlasius, previously reported from Luzon Island, was also found in Lake Danao (Pacijan Island). An identification key to Philippine species of Mesocyclops and Thermocyclops is herein provided. Geographic distribution and possible causes of the low number of species observed and their implications for further faunal studies are also discussed.