Updated status of Anostraca, Notostraca and Spinicaudata (Crustacea Branchiopoda) in Sicily (Italy): review and new records.

Abstract

A survey on distribution, phenology and status of large branchiopod crustaceans (Branchiopoda: Anostraca, Notostraca, Spinicaudata) in Sicily and in circum-Sicilian islands was carried out from autumn 2000 to winter 2004/2005 with the purpose of providing an organised contribution to the knowledge of the distribution of these crustaceans in the region. Data from literature on Sicilian large branchiopods has been briefly reviewed, and field surveys allowed us to add new data on their actual consistency in the area. Current Sicilian large branchiopod fauna is characterised by a low species richness and diversity, having possibly been impoverished by the high anthropic impact which has interested the Sicilian wetlands. The need for further surveys directed towards getting the knowledge necessary in order to correctly understand and manage temporary pools, the elective habitat of a rich and peculiar biota whose large branchiopods are “flagship species”, is stressed.