A taxonomic reevaluation of North American Bosminidae

Abstract

Prior morphological studies have led to the recognition of six species in the genus Bosmina from North America. The present study employed allozymic and morphological analyses to ascertain the taxonomic diversity of bosminids from 72 North American habitats. The results suggest the occurrence of 10 species, including representatives from four recognized subgenera. Populations assignable to Bosmina (Bosmina) longirostris s.l. were rare, but two newly described species in the subgenus Sinobosmina were common in the eastern half of the continent. Four species of the subgenus Eubosmina were detected, one of which is newly described, while a second species new to North America apparently represents a recent invasion from Eurasia. Two species of the subgenus Neobosmina were found in lakes from the northeastern portion of the continent, while a third species was restricted to southern sites.