Further systematic and ecological data on italian populations of macrothrix hirsuticornis norman and brady (crustacea, cladocera)

Abstract

A comparison is made between two Italian populations of Macrothrix hirsuticornis from two basins with different characteristics: a lowland temporary pond and a mountain lake. A survey was carried out on the biological cycle which showed both in the wild and in the laboratory a high ecophysiological diversity. As far as the morphological characteristics are concerned, these populations have an accentuated variability with individuals displaying characteristics from hirsuticornis s. str., groenlandica and intermediate forms. However there is the highest percentage of groenlandica at high altitudes and of hirsuticornis s. str. in lowland areas. © 1987 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.