An annotated checklist of the freshwater cladocerans (Crustacea: Branchiopoda: Cladocera) of Ecuador and the Galápagos Islands

Abstract

An annotated checklist of recorded species of Cladocera (Crustacea: Branchiopoda) from inland aquatic habitats in Ecuador (including the Galápagos) is provided. We revised all published records, evaluated the validity of each taxon and provided short taxonomic and biogeographical remarks for each taxon. A total of 34 valid species grouped into 23 genera was found. Presently, all attempts to analyze distributional patterns of cladocerans in Ecuador are premature due to the scarcity of adequate information. Current achievements in the inventory of cladocerans, information gaps and recommendations for future studies on cladoceran taxonomy in Ecuador are discussed.