First record in phreatic freshwater of harpacticoids belonging to the genus Arenopontia (Crustacea, Copepoda) and description of two new species.
Cottarelli V.1, M.C. Bruno 1 & F. Venanzetti 2
Ann. Mus Civ. St. Nat. "G. Doria", 90:471-484 (1994)
In this paper the authors describe and discuss some Harpacticoids of the genus Arenopontia belonging to two new species: A. (Neoleptastacus) phreatica n.sp. and A. (Neoleptastacus) speluncae n.sp. The first species was collected in phreatic waters in La Maddalena island (Sardinia, SS), the second one in the interstitial waters of the beach near Sperlonga village (Latium, LT) and of S. Agostino beach, near Gaeta town (Latium, LT).
As it has been discussed, these Arenopontia seem to be very interesting not only for the taxonomic and biogeographic but also for the ecological aspect: in fact, this is the first record in subterranean freshwater of specimens belonging to the genus.
The description and discussion of the two new species has been followed by some remarks and hypoyhesis about the origin of the colonization process.
1. Dipartimento di Scienze Ambientali -
Università della Tuscia - 01100 Viterbo
e-mail: Cottarel@unitus.it
2. Dipartimento di Biologia, Università di Roma "Tor Vergata", Via O.Raimondo - 00173 Roma
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