Diversity and distribution of large branchiopods (Branchiopoda: Anostraca, Notostraca, Spinicaudata) in Apulian ponds (SE Italy)

A first extensive survey in the inland waters of Apulia was carried out with the aim to detect occurrences of large branchiopods and to assess their diversity and distribution in the region. Samples were gathered during each wet season between 2004 and 2016, in several cases with multiple collections per site in different years. A total of 240 water bodies were studied. Based on a careful review of the available literature data and the results of this survey, 10 large branchiopod species (six Anostraca, two Notostraca, two Spinicaudata) are reported to occur in the Apulian inland waters at present. The findings of the spinicaudatans Leptestheria mayeti and Cyzicus tetracerus and of the anostracan Streptocephalus torvicornis are new records for the Italian mainland. Different species assemblages were found to correspond to specific sets of environmental conditions and habitat types. The diversity of large branchiopods in the region indicates the distinctive role of the Apulian inland waters and their ecological importance in the biogeography of the crustacean inland water fauna in the Mediterranean area. The conservation status of the environments where the species were collected is also discussed.