On the occurrence of Branchinecta orientalis Sars, 1901 (Crustacea, Anostraca) in Algeria, with some ecological notes.

The first substantiated record of Branchinecta orientalis in Algeria is here reported. This species was found in a small freshwater pool (Jemot) in Oum El Bouaghi province, located in the High Plateaus of the Aurès region in North-East of Algeria. Details on biogeography, ecology and morphology of this Algerian population of the species are provided. In its Algerian occurrence locality, B. orientalis co-occurs mostly with Branchinecta ferox during autumn and spring but also with other large Branchiopoda with a maximum of 7 species occurring synchronically and 9 species in total.

A new fairy shrimp, Branchinecta piurae sp. nov. (Branchiopoda: Anostraca), from Peru.

South American species of Branchinecta that inhabit high altitude biotopes are so far represented by B. brushi and B. papillata. Here we describe a new species inhabiting these extreme habitats, B. piurae sp. nov., whose closest species is B. papillata. Differential characters of B. piurae are the lack, in males, of proximal and distal anteromedial bulges with spines at the second antenna basal antennomere which are conversely present in males of B. papillata; instead, the males of B. piurae have scattered, triangular spines over the anterior and medial surfaces at the distal half of the basal antennomere. In females of B. piurae, the dorsal surface of thoracic segments are provided with well-marked rough protuberances mainly on segments 3 to 10, features that are not observed in B. papillata. As far as is known, Branchinecta piurae sp. nov. is endemic to the Peruvian and Ecuadorian Andes, appearing at altitudes around 3,7003,800 m a.s.l, and latitudes from 247 to 504 S. The results of the genetic analyses based both on mitochondrial and nuclear markers provide a clear support for the morphological description of B. piurae as a new species. We also provide genetic sequences of B. papillata, B. ferox from Spain and B. orientalis from Spain and Mongolia, and show that Palaearctic Branchinecta species are not directly related to B. piurae and B. papillata. In the phylogeny derived from COI, the last two species form a sister clade to the American Branchinecta clade, including several North American species, or in the 16S phylogeny, only B. papillata is at the base. Our results suggest a different history about the genus in America than previous hypotheses. New molecular studies are needed that include additional South American species in order to better explore the diversity and biogeographical patterns of the genus Branchinecta.

Diversity and distribution of Anostraca in temporary ponds in Western Africa with description of a new species of Streptocephalus Baird, 1852 (Pancrustacea: Branchiopoda: Streptocephalidae).

Three genera of Anostraca have been recorded so far in Senegal: Streptocephalus Baird, 1852, Branchinella Sayce, 1903 and Artemia Leach, 1819. The occurrence of the previously recorded freshwater species in Senegal have been confirmed in this work, namely Streptocephalus zeltneri Daday, 1910, S. sudanicus Daday, 1910 and Branchinella (Branchinellites) chudeaui (Daday, 1910). New records and the description of a new species are given. The new species, Streptocephalus wolof sp. nov., has been recognized through molecular (mitochondrial and nuclear markers) and morphological (egg shape) data. The adult stage of this new species is morphologically indistinguishable to its closely related species Streptocephalus zeltneri, suggesting the existence of two cryptic species in Senegal. Finally, some taxonomic comments on the genus Streptocephalus are presented.

Nervous system development in the fairy shrimp Branchinella sp. (Crustacea: Branchiopoda: Anostraca): Insights into the development and evolution of the branchiopod brain and its sensory organs.

Using immunohistochemical labeling against acetylated a-tubulin and serotonin in combination with confocal laser scanning microscopy and 3D-reconstruction, we investigated the temporary freshwater pond inhabitant Branchinella sp. (Crustacea: Branchiopoda: Anostraca) for the first time to provide detailed data on the development of the anostracan nervous system. Protocerebral sense organs such as the nauplius eye and frontal filament organs are present as early as the hatching stage L0. In the postnaupliar region, two terminal pioneer neurons grow from posterior to anterior to connect the mandibular neuromeres. The first protocerebral neuropil to emerge is not part of the central complex but represents the median neuropil, and begins to develop from L0+ onwards. In stage L3, the first evidence of developing compound eyes is visible. This is followed by the formation of the visual neuropils and the neuropils of the central complex in the protocerebrum. From the deutocerebral lobes, the projecting neuron tract proceeds to both sides of the lateral protocerebrum, forming a chiasma just behind the central body. In the postnaupliar region, the peripheral nervous system, commissures and connectives develop along an anterior-posterior gradient after the fasciculation of the terminal pioneer neurons with the mandibular neuromere. The peripheral nervous system in the thoracic segments consists of two longitudinal neurite bundles on each side which connect the intersegmental nerves, together with the ventral nervous system forming an orthogon-like network. Here, we discuss, among other things, the evidence of a fourth nauplius eye nerve and decussating projecting neuron tract found in Branchinella sp., and provide arguments to support our view that the crustacean frontal filament (organ) and onychophoran primary antenna are homologous. J. Morphol. 277:1423-1446, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Large branchiopod (Crustacea: Branchiopoda) egg morphology of Western Ghats, Maharashtra, India.

The eggs of many large branchiopods have taxonomic value and are commonly used as traits in species and/or generic descriptions. In this paper we present detailed descriptions and SEMs of resting eggs of seven of the eight species of large branchiopods found in the Western Ghats of Maharashtra, India. We highlight the inter- and intrapopulation egg morphological variation in Streptocephalus.

Thamnocephalus chacosaltensis, a new species of Anostraca (Crustacea: Branchiopoda) from Salta province (Argentina).

Thamnocephalus chacosaltensis, a new species of fairy shrimp, was found in a temporary turbid pond in the Rivadavia Department, Salta province, Argentina (24º13'19.3''S; 62º 52'14.3''W), belonging to the Chaco salteño. The males present a well developed frontal appendage. Their First (FB) and Third (TB) branches show features diagnostic for the species. FB shows three sub-branches; the most proximal one is coiled, lacks spines all along, gradually thins in distal direction and flattens in the distal half; distally, the flattened portion is folded and ends blunt, bearing a small spine at the tip. TB is a broad-based triangular, thin, much flattened and folded outgrowth, with a small spine at the apex. Male genital and abdominal segments lack medio-ventral spines near their posterior margins. Comparisons with the other species of the genus are established.

Linderiella jebalae sp. nov. (Crustacea: Branchiopoda: Anostraca), a new species from the Rif mountains (northern Morocco).

A new species of fairy shrimp, Linderiella jebalae sp. nov., was found in temporary ponds located in the Rif region of northern Morocco. Morphological characters of females, such as the basal long warty outgrowth of the antennae, the highly developed cuticular papillae in the second genital segment, and the presence of a keel-shaped process directed posteriorly in dorsal side of the brood pouch, clearly distinguish this species from the others of the genus. In the case of males, the basiomedial antennal outgrowth and the distal segment of the antenna are diagnostic features for the species. Cyst ornamentation, characterized by thick, blunt and sometimes truncated spines, also separate this species. This is the fourth known Palaearctic Linderiella species, all of them described recently (from 1980s onwards) and located in a restricted area, from south-eastern France to Iberian Peninsula and Morocco.

Morphometric and preliminary genetic characteristics of Branchinecta orientalis populations from Iran (Crustacea: Anostraca).

Branchinecta orientalis is a fairy shrimp endemic to the Palearctic region, from Mongolia to Spain. The patchy nature of its habitat is thought to result in a high degree of subdivision among populations, potentially promoting speciation. We combined morphometric characteristics with molecular phylogeny of cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) to test whether B. orientalis could be a species complex and whether there is any correlation between the genetic variation, morphometric characteristics and geographical variables. We studied six populations from Iran based on the comparison of morphometric and molecular datasets, we confirmed that the Aigher Goli (AIG) population is biometrically well separated from the Akh Gol, Hassar, Rashakan, Khaslou and Garagojanlou populations in northwestern Iran. The relatively high genetic divergence in the AIG from the other populations and its congruence with morphometric data were observed in B. orientalis populations. However, as these results were generated using a small sample size and on a limited sampling range, they should be considered as preliminary.

A new species of Branchinecta (Crustacea: Anostraca) from Uruguay.

Branchinecta uruguayensis, a new species of fairy shrimp, is described from a single seasonally astatic aquatic habitat in coastal Uruguay. This is the first record of an anostracan from the nation of Uruguay. Male B. uruguayensis n. sp. are separated from other Branchinecta species by the form of the second antennae. Branchinecta uruguayensis n. sp. share the distal antennomere lobiform projection with B. papillata Rogers, De los Rios, & Zúñiga, 2008 and B. achalensis César, 1985. Branchinecta uruguayensis n. sp. females are readily separated from all other Branchinecta by the presence of posteriolateral thoracic spines and lateral crenulations on the first abdomen segment margins. A key is provided to the Branchinectidae of South America.

Morphological variation in males of Dendrocephalus orientalis (Anostraca: Thamnocephalidae): Implications for species identification.

The genus Dendrocephalus Daday, 1908 consists of 17 described species. The morphology of the frontal appendage and the first pairs of thoracopods of males are the main characteristics used for species identification. The objectives of this study were to increase knowledge of the morphology of Dendrocephalus orientalis and to propose a new identification key for the species occurring in Brazil. Specimens were collected in temporary ponds within the conservation unit Monument Natural Grota do Angico (MNGA), which straddles the borders of the municipalities of Poço Redondo and Canindé de São Francisco, State of Sergipe, Brazil. During the study period, 560 male individuals of D. orientalis were sampled. The specimens showed variations in the number of spines on the eyes and the proximal surface of the male frontal appendage. On the eye, the number of spines ranged from 0 to 2; morphotypes with 1 and 2 spines predominated in the samples, with 50.5% and 46.2%, respectively. The number of spines on each eye was the same within each individual. On the proximal surface of the males frontal appendage the following numbers of spines on each arm were recorded: 1 and 1 (57.86%); 2 and 1 (30.89%); 2 and 2 (9.46%); 1 and 0 (1.25%); 3 and 2 (0.36%); 2 and 0 (0.18%). Based on these variations, we conclude that the number of spines on the eyes and the frontal appendage arms cannot be used as a diagnostic character for species identification. On the other hand, the first pairs of thoracopods and sub-branches 1V and 2A of the frontal appendage should be included in keys, since these structures did not show significant intraspecific morphological variation. 

A new species of Streptocephalus (Crustacea: Anostraca: Streptocephalidae) from the Western Ghats, India, with a key to the Asian species.

We present and describe the fairy shrimp Streptocephalus sahyadriensis sp. nov. from the Western Ghats of India. This species is most similar to S. simplex Gurney, 1906 and S. dichotomus Baird, 1860 sharing similar basic antennal appendage morphology. However, S. sahyadriensis sp. nov. differs in the form of the ornamentation on the peduncle and the arrangement and form of spines on the antennal appendage. The three species also have different egg surface morphologies. The Asian species of Streptocephalus are discussed and a key to species is provided.

Tanymastigites lusitanica sp. nov. (Crustacea: Branchiopoda: Anostraca) from Portugal, first representative of the genus in Europe.

Tanymastigites lusitanica sp. nov., a new species of fairy shrimp, is described from puddles in unpaved roads in the Alentejo region, Portugal. The males of Tanymastigites lusitanica sp. nov. are readily separated from the rest of the species of the genus by the morphology of antennae, antennal appendages and penes. T. lusitanica sp. nov. is closely related to T. perrieri but differs from it by the presence of a proximal ventrolateral short ridge in the distal segment of the antenna, and by the absence of a big thorn-like outgrowth in the distal lateral "lip" of the basal part of the penis. T. lusitanica sp. nov. presents a simple lateral branch in the antennal appendage of males, instead of the bifurcated lateral branch present in T. brteki, T. cyrenaica and T. mzabica. The finding of this new species represents the first citation of this genus in Europe. An identification key is provided to separate the males of the different species of the genus.

Annotated Checklist of the large branchiopod crustaceans of Idaho, Oregon and Washington, USA, with the "rediscovery" of a new species of Branchinecta (Anostraca: Branchinectidae).

We present a checklist of the large branchiopod crustaceans of Idaho, Oregon and Washington, USA. New distributional records are presented for most species, including the first records of Branchinecta constricta Rogers, 2006 and Lepidurus cryptus Rogers, 2001 from Idaho, the first record of B. oriena Belk & Rogers 2002 from Oregon, the first record of B. mackini Dexter, 1956 and Artemiafranciscana Kellogg, 1906 co-occurring, and the first record of L. cryptus from Washington. Furthermore, we present the first record of Eulimnadia diversa Mattox, 1937 from west of the continental divide, which we interpret as an accidental introduction. In 1959, Lynch collected a new fairy shrimp species from Washington, deposited that material in the US National Museum, labeled "muddy fairy shrimp, Branchinecta lutulenta", but never described it. Numerous efforts have been made to rediscover extant populations since 1999. We rediscovered this species in 2011, from two small pools from the vicinity of Lynch's original collection site, which appears to have been destroyed. Branchinecta lutulenta sp. nov. is most closely related to B. lindahli Packard, 1883 and B. oterosanvicentei Obregón-Barboza et al., 2002. Branchinecta lutulenta sp. nov. is readily separable from all other Branchinecta species by the form of the male second antennal distal antennomere and the ornamentation of the female dorsum.

A new fairy shrimp Phallocryptus tserensodnomi (Branchiopoda: Anostraca) from Mongolia.

A new species of Phallocryptus Biraben 1951 (Branchiopoda, Anostraca) from Mongolia is described. Phallocryptus tserensodnomi sp. nov. is close to P. spinosa (Milne-Edwards 1840), but both morphological and molecular analyses (Cytochrome Oxidase I, COI) indicate that they represent separate species. Most relevant differential features of the new species include: (1) frontal appendage provided with small ventral conical outgrowths; (2) second antennamere evenly curved, sickle-shaped; (3) distal fleshy process on labrum evenly curved forwards and tapering; (4) short stout acute spine-like projections present at each side of basal portion of gonopods; (5) female second antennae shorter and wider than in P. spinosa, tapering. Based on morphological comparisons the new species appears to be a Mongolian endemic, although some genotypes of presumed P spinosa from Africa are similar to the new species, suggesting P. tserensodnomi might have a wider distribution.

A new species of Chirocephalus (Crustacea: Anostraca) from Iran.

Chirocephalus soulukliensis, an insular new species of fairy shrimp, is described from the Soulukli Wetland in Golestan National Park in northeastern Iran. The new species shares several characters with the loosely organized "Pristicephalus" group. It is readily separated from all congeners by the short, monolamellar form of the antennal appendage, which is un-armed, the distally expanded form of the apophyses, and the sinuate form of the second antennal distal antennomere.