First record of the endemic phytophilous cladoceran Celsinotum candango Sinev & Elmoor-Loureiro, 2010, in Minas Gerais state, in a threatened shallow lake at Serra do Gandarela

Abstract

This study describes the occurrence of the phytophilous cladoceran Celsinotum candango, which has been considered, up to now, an endemic species of the Brazilian Cerrado, with only two previous records in the wetlands of Brasilia, Federal District. The cladoceran has now been registered at Coutos Lake (“Lagoa dos Coutos”), an altitudinal, temporary shallow lake, located in ironstone outcrops at Serra do Gandarela, Minas Gerais state. This mountain ridge was recently turned into an integral protection conservation unit, the Gandarela National Park. However, many shallow lakes, including this one, were excluded from the delimited area of the park, and are now at risk of disappearing due to expansion of mining activities. The information provided here reveals the importance of these shallow lakes to aquatic biodiversity, and reinforces the need for the inclusion of these rare aquatic ecosystems into the recently created Gandarela National Park.