Ilyocryptus spinifer Herrick 1882 (Crustacea, Branchiopoda, Cladocera): The First Record of the Species in the European Fauna

Abstract

In 2018, the water flea, Ilyocryptus spinifer Herrick 1882 (Cladocera, Ilyocryptidae), was found for the first time in the Vetluga River, Nizhny Novgorod Region, European Russia. This species with a benthic phytophilic mode of life belongs to the southern thermophilous complex of cladocerans and shows a circumtropical distribution pattern. So far, I. spinifer has never been found in Europe, sporadic records of this species were known only from few southern regions in the Asian part of Russia. The invasion of I. spinifer to relatively high latitudes may be related to a natural distribution range expansion due to global climate warming, to transfers via migratory birds, and/or with ballast waters in ships. In any case, further monitoring of the revealed populations is very important to control the water ecosystem conditions in Russia and other countries.