Holocene fossil Habrotrocha angusticollis (Bdelloidea: Rotifera) in North America

Abstract

Holocene fossil shells of the rotifer, Habrotrocha angusticollus (Bdelloidea: Rotifera) is reported from two peatlands in northern Ontario, Canada. H. angusticollis is a common component of the microfauna in Sphagnum peatlands and other wet mossy habitats. Our knowledge of the distribution and ecology of H. angusticollis is limited and this paper is the first detailed report of the shells as fossils in North America. Fossil shells of H. angusticollis may prove to be a valuable paleoecological indicator in peat deposits once Quaternary paleoecologists learn to recognize them and neoecologists extend their surveys to peatlands.