The effect of temperature on mating duration in the freshwater cyclopoid copepod Cyclops vicinus (Uljanin, 1875)

In laboratory experiments we tested the effects of low (10 degreesC) and hi gh (20 degreesC) temperature on mating duration in the freshwater cyclopoid copepod, Cyclops vicinus. Mating duration was much longer at low than at h igh temperature. At 10 degreesC, the time from the seizure of the female by the male until spermatophore attachment was 7.6 min. while at 20 degreesC this time was 4 min. only. The time from spermatophore placement until sepa ration of the pair was 55 min. at 10 degreesC and 16 min. at 20 degreesC. T he ecological significance of long vs. short mating durations is discussed.