Last Updated: November 25, 2025
Estimated reading time: ~7 minutes
Biodiversity documentation is the first step in conservation biology. Until we know what exists in our waters, we cannot protect it. This study represents a landmark moment for aquatic zoology in Punjab, Pakistan, serving as the first comprehensive attempt to document the new copepod records of the Gujranwala district. While previous studies focused on the southern province of Sindh or specific lakes like Manchar and Jallo, this research expands the biological map, identifying 28 species in total—17 of which had never been reported from Pakistan before. This post explores the biogeographical significance of these findings and what they tell us about the connectivity of global freshwater systems.
Search intent: This post satisfies the user intent to inform readers about regional biodiversity, expand existing taxonomic checklists, and document the specific species added to the local fauna.
Key Takeaways
- Major Discovery: The study successfully identified 17 copepod species previously unrecorded in Pakistan’s scientific literature.
- Family Expansion: Significant additions were made to the families Diaptomidae and Temoridae, which were historically underrepresented in local surveys.
- Canal vs. Pond: Specific new records, such as Epischura lacustris, were found exclusively in lotic (canal) environments, indicating habitat specificity.
- Cosmopolitanism: The presence of species like Acanthocyclops vernalis suggests a cosmopolitan distribution, linking Pakistan’s fauna to European and North American populations.
Expanding the Faunal Checklist: 17 New Additions
The primary contribution of this thesis is taxonomic. Prior to this study, the checklist of freshwater copepods in Pakistan was fragmented. Researchers like Mahoon (1996) and Mahar (2003) had established baselines, but vast areas of the Punjab province remained unsampled. By employing rigorous sampling across four distinct stations in Gujranwala, the study added nearly two dozen species to the national registry.
“Total 28 copepod species belonging to 13 genera and 3 families were identified. This study is the first attempt to analyze the copepod fauna of District Gujranwala Punjab, Pakistan while 17 species were newly reported from Pakistan” (Maqbool, 2012, p. viii).
Among the new copepod records, the identification of several Diacyclops species (D. nanus, D. navus) and Skistodiaptomus species (S. oregonesis, S. pallidus) is particularly notable. These findings suggest that the biodiversity of Pakistan’s freshwaters is far richer than previously estimated. The discovery of these species implies that previous sampling efforts may have been limited by gear selectivity (mesh size) or seasonal sampling gaps, as many of these new records appeared only during specific windows of the year (e.g., Spring or Autumn).
Student Note: Faunistics is the study of the animals of a particular region. A Checklist is the most basic but essential tool in faunistics, listing all species found in a defined area.
Professor’s Insight: Finding “new records” doesn’t necessarily mean these species recently arrived; it often means they were always there but overlooked due to lack of microscopic scrutiny or sampling effort.
Biogeographical Significance of Calanoid Finds
While Cyclopoids are often ubiquitous, the presence of specific Calanoid copepods provides deep zoogeographical insights. The study recorded Epischura lacustris and Leptodiaptomus sciciloides, members of the families Temoridae and Diaptomidae, respectively.
“Epischura lacustris was recorded in spring, summer and fall at st 1 only. Its important character was its bent urosome” (Maqbool, 2012, p. 122).
Epischura lacustris is historically well-documented in North American Great Lakes and parts of Europe. Its confirmation in the Nandipur Canal (Station 1) connects the freshwater fauna of Pakistan to the Holarctic region (Northern hemisphere). This suggests either a natural cosmopolitan distribution facilitated by migratory birds (who carry resting eggs on their feet) or potential anthropogenic introduction. Furthermore, finding Skistodiaptomus species helps fill a gap in the distribution map of Diaptomids in South Asia, a group that is often distinct between the Palearctic and Oriental zoogeographic realms.
Student Note: Zoogeography studies the geographic distribution of animals. Freshwater zooplankton often have surprisingly wide ranges because their dormant eggs (ephippia/cysts) are easily transported by wind and birds.
| Family | Genus | New Record Species | Habitat Found |
|---|---|---|---|
| Temoridae | Epischura | E. lacustris | Canal (Lotic) |
| Diaptomidae | Leptodiaptomus | L. sciciloides | Ponds (Lentic) |
| Diaptomidae | Skistodiaptomus | S. oregonesis | Ponds (Lentic) |
| Cyclopidae | Diacyclops | D. navus | Ponds (Lentic) |
Fig: Selected new copepod records for Pakistan identified in the Gujranwala district (Data source: Maqbool, 2012).
Professor’s Insight: The family Diaptomidae is notoriously difficult to identify. The confirmation of three Skistodiaptomus species indicates a high level of taxonomic precision in this study.
Habitat Specificity of New Records
Not all new copepod records were found everywhere. The study highlighted a clear habitat partitioning among the newly discovered species, reinforcing the importance of sampling diverse habitats (lotic vs. lentic) to capture full biodiversity.
- The Canal Specialist: Epischura lacustris was found only at Station 1 (Nandipur Canal). This suggests it requires higher dissolved oxygen or water movement, traits typical of lotic systems. If the study had only sampled ponds, this major family (Temoridae) would have been missed entirely.
- The Pond Residents: In contrast, species like Diacyclops nanus and Acanthocyclops brevispinosus were found predominantly in the stagnant village ponds. These environments are characterized by higher conductivity and turbidity. The fact that these “new” species thrive in anthropogenically stressed village ponds suggests they are resilient organisms that have likely adapted to the agricultural landscape of Punjab.
“A. venustoides was reported in summer and monsoon from st. 1 only… D. nanus was absent in winter at st 3 while at st 2, 4 it was found in all seasons” (Maqbool, 2012, p. 122).
Student Note: Sampling Bias occurs when a researcher only looks in one type of habitat (e.g., only lakes). To get a true faunal list, one must sample edges, open water, flowing water, and stagnant pools.
Professor’s Insight: The specificity of Epischura to the canal is a crucial finding. It suggests that canals in Pakistan act as “biodiversity highways,” transporting unique species that cannot survive in the isolated, stagnant ponds.
Implications for Regional Taxonomy
The addition of these 17 species forces a revision of the regional taxonomic keys used by students and researchers in Pakistan. Previously, students might have forced a specimen into a known category (e.g., misidentifying a Diacyclops as a Mesocyclops) simply because the correct species wasn’t in their local guidebook.
“In the present study 17 species were newly recorded from Pakistan while remaining 11 species were already reported… D. bicuspidatus… reported by Nawaz (2013) from Jallo lake” (Maqbool, 2012, p. 121).
By distinguishing cryptic species—such as separating Diacyclops thomasi from Diacyclops bicuspidatus based on minute caudal rami measurements—the study elevates the standard of taxonomic research in the region. It highlights the necessity of using advanced keys (like Pennak, 1978; or Ward & Whipple, 1959) rather than relying solely on older, local lists. This biodiversity baseline is essential for future studies on climate change; without knowing exactly what is currently present, we cannot track what goes extinct or invades in the future.
Student Note: Cryptic Species are species that look nearly identical to the naked eye but are genetically or morphologically distinct upon closer inspection (e.g., different spine counts on the 5th leg).
Professor’s Insight: This study proves that “common” species lists are often incomplete. For a Zoology student, finding a specimen that “doesn’t quite fit” the key is an exciting moment—it might be a new record!
The insights presented here are an educational distillation of the original thesis. Content is verified by the Professor of Zoology editorial team, with all credits to the original researcher for the data.
Real-Life Applications
Why does finding new species records matter in the real world?
- Invasive Species Monitoring: Some of these “new records” might actually be invasive species brought in by aquaculture or shipping. Identifying them allows authorities to assess if they pose a threat to native fish or ecosystems.
- Biodiversity Indices: When calculating the “health” of an ecosystem, the number of species (Richness) is a key variable. Knowing there are 28 species instead of 11 changes the math, potentially upgrading the conservation value of Gujranwala’s wetlands.
- Climate Change Baselines: As the climate warms, species ranges shift. Documenting that Skistodiaptomus oregonesis existed in Gujranwala in 2012 provides a baseline to see if it moves north or disappears by 2030.
Exam Relevance: Questions on Zoogeography often ask about “Cosmopolitan vs. Endemic” distributions. You can cite Acanthocyclops as an example of a cosmopolitan genus found in Pakistan.
Key Takeaways
- Significant Expansion: The study increased the known copepod fauna of the region by adding 17 new species records.
- Taxonomic Precision: Detailed analysis of the 5th leg and antennules allowed for the differentiation of closely related Diacyclops species.
- Habitat Exclusivity: Epischura lacustris serves as a marker for lotic (flowing) canal systems, distinct from pond fauna.
- Under-sampled Families: The study filled major gaps in the records of families Diaptomidae and Temoridae in Punjab.
- Resilience: The new records include species thriving in eutrophic, human-impacted ponds, proving their resilience.
MCQs
1. Which family of copepods was recorded in the Nandipur Canal but represents a new record for the region?
A. Cyclopidae
B. Temoridae
C. Daphniidae
D. Sididae
Correct: B
Difficulty: Moderate
Explanation: The genus Epischura, which belongs to the family Temoridae, was recorded as a new addition, specifically found in the lotic canal habitat (Maqbool, 2012, p. 122).
2. The study claims to be the first comprehensive analysis of copepod fauna for which specific district?
A. Lahore
B. Faisalabad
C. Gujranwala
D. Multan
Correct: C
Difficulty: Easy
Explanation: The thesis title and abstract explicitly state that this is the first study on abundance and diversity of copepods in District Gujranwala (Maqbool, 2012, p. viii).
3. What is the most likely mode of dispersal for “new” copepod records appearing in isolated ponds?
A. Swimming upstream
B. Transport by birds (Zoochory)
C. Underground aquifers
D. Spontaneous generation
Correct: B
Difficulty: Moderate
Explanation: Zooplankton resting eggs are sticky and resilient; they are commonly transported on the feet and feathers of migratory waterbirds (Zoochory), allowing them to colonize new or isolated water bodies.
FAQs
Q: Does “New Record” mean a new species to science?
A: No. A “New Record” means a species that is already known to science (described elsewhere, like in Europe or America) has been found in a specific region (Pakistan) for the first time.
Q: Why were these species missed before?
A: Likely due to a lack of sampling in Gujranwala, the use of nets with meshes that were too large (missing small species), or simply a lack of taxonomic expertise in previous decades.
Q: What is the “Holotype”?
A: The single physical specimen used to formally describe a new species to science. For “new records” like these, researchers compare their specimens to descriptions of the Holotype found in literature.
Lab / Practical Note
Preservation: When you find a potential new record, do not just count it. Isolate the specimen, preserve it in 70-95% ethanol (not formalin, if you want to preserve DNA for future sequencing), and seal the vial with wax to prevent evaporation. This allows for verification by other experts.
External Resources
- Freshwater Animal Diversity Assessment (Global biodiversity context)
- Mechanisms of Zooplankton Dispersal (ScienceDirect on biogeography)
Sources & Citations
Thesis Citation:
Studies on Abundance and Diversity of Copepods from Fresh waters, Asma Maqbool, Supervisor: Dr. Abdul Qayyum Khan Sulehria, GC University Lahore, Pakistan, Session 2009-2012 (Submitted ~2017).
Corrections:
If you are the author of this thesis and wish to submit corrections, please contact us at contact@professorofzoology.com.
Note: Placeholder tokens and formatting artifacts from the PDF conversion process were removed for clarity.
Author Box
Author: Asma Maqbool, Ph.D. Scholar, Department of Zoology, GC University Lahore.
Reviewer: Abubakar Siddiq
Note: This summary was assisted by AI and verified by a human editor.
Disclaimer: Scientific records are subject to peer review and revision; the “new records” mentioned here reflect the findings at the time of the thesis submission.
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