On the Occurrence of Metadiaptomus chevreuxi (Calanoida, Diaptomidae, Paradiaptominae) in the Iberian Peninsula, With Notes on the Ecology and Distribution of its European Populations

Abstract

Temporary ponds are one of the most peculiar ecosystems in the world, being characterized by an extraordinarily rich crustacean fauna, with a high degree of endemism. Among them, diaptomid copepods are among the most biogeographically interesting taxa. However, the present knowledge on diaptomid distribution is still far from being exhaustive, even in the relatively well-studied western European countries. In this study, we report the first record of the diaptomid calanoid copepod Metadiaptomus chevreuxi for the Iberian Peninsula, where it was collected in five temporary ponds in Andalusia (Spain). The characteristics of the new sites are described, the literature dealing with the European localities of the species is reviewed, and a molecular phylogenetic tree has been built, based on new and previously available mitochondrial DNA sequences, thus expanding the knowledge on the ecology and phylogeography of this rare species. The species mainly occupies small isolated temporary ponds in (semi-)arid regions, suggesting adaptations to unpredictable aquatic habitats. The existence of two molecular clades separating the Iberian from the Sicilian and Tunisian populations supports the existence of a longitudinal long-term disjunction, whereas the north-south flow is probably facilitated by migrating birds. Further research on the biota of the small water bodies of the western Mediterranean area may help to expand our knowledge on rare aquatic species, such as M. chevreuxi, and to better interpret their natural history.

An annotated checklist and bibliography of the Diaptomidae (Copepoda, Calanoida) of Italy, Corsica, and the Maltese islands

“…SIC. The species is reported for two temporary water bodies on Favignana island, Sicily (Marrone and Naselli-Flores, 2005;Marrone et al, 2020). Other references : Stoch, 2006a;Marrone, 2006;Marrone et al, 2006aMarrone et al, , 2006bMarrone et al, , 2009Marrone et al, , 2017Belmonte, 2018.…”

First record of Linderiella jebalae Boix, Sala, Escoriza & Alonso 2016 (Crustacea, Branchiopoda, Anostraca) in the Iberian Peninsula. Dispersal across the Strait of Gibraltar?

“…A similar pattern has been observed in the copepod Diaptomus chevreuxi, which also colonizes temporary pools and has separated clades in the south of the Iberian Peninsula, Sicily and Tunisia. This distribution suggests the possible role of migratory birds in north-south dispersal (Marrone et al 2020). In this sense, the arrival of L. jebalae to the Iberian Peninsula is possible by passerine birds during their annual migrations (Viana et al, 2016), taking into account the distance at which it has been found (102 km) with respect to the place where the species has been described (Boix et al, 2016).…”

The unnoticed northward expansion of Najas marina subsp. armata (Hydrocharitaceae) in the Mediterranean area: an effect of climate change?

“…in Sardinia (Becker & al. 2021), and maybe some crustaceans follow the same pattern (Jaume 1989;Marrone & al. 2020).…”