RARE COPEPOD, PARACYCLOPS CANADENSIS (WILLEY), COMMON IN LEAVES OF SARRACENIA PURPUREA L

Paracyclops canadensis (Willey) (Copepoda: Cyclopoida) is not common in collections and is considered rare. We sampled purple pitcher plants, Sarracenia purpurea L. (Sarraceniaceae) from ten geographically separated sites to determine how common P. canadensis is. Ninety specimens of Paracyclops canadensis were recovered from 660 leaves of the purple pitcher plant, between March 11, 1996 and November 11, 1997. Specimens included immatures and male and female adults. Most copepods were alive when collected. This report documents that P. canadensis is more widespread and prevalent than previously thought. Its frequency in S. purpurea leaves suggests that it has a species-specific association with this pitcher plant. The material in this study represents the most widespread collection of P. canadensis in North America.