Morphological diversity displayed by high altitude Branchinecta papillata (Anostraca) and additional morphological comparisons with Branchinecta achalensis

Abstract

Populations of the high altitude anostracan Branchinecta papillota from the type locality in the Atacama Altiplano (Iquique province, Chile) and from the Cumbres Calchaquíes (Tucumn province, Argentina) and specimens of B. achalensis from the type locality (La Posta, Pampa de Achala, Crdoba province, Argentina) were compared and new observations on the morphological diversity of the species were made. A basal branching in the male antenna 2 distal article, only observed in one branchinectid to date, was found in the Argentinean populations of both species. © The Crustacean Society, 2012. Published by Koninklijke Brill NV, Leiden.