Observations on Eubranchipus vernalis in South-Western Ontario and Eastern Illinois

Abstract

Eubranchipus vernalis Verrill, 1869, one of the larger and more widely distributed species of North American Phyllopoda, which occurs in the northern United States from the Middle West to New England, was first recorded in Canada from southwestern Ontario in 1935 (Ferguson, 1935). Since the initial collection, in April, 1932, this crustacean has been found by the writer on different occasions during the past seven years in several temporary pools near London and St. Thomas, Ontario. While making these collections some interesting observations were made on the habits and life history of this form. These observations are supplemented with references to the literature, and with some additional notes made on E. vernalis from collections taken in eastern Illinois during the years 1935-1937, while the writer attended the University of Illinois at Urbana.