Abstract
Temporary ponds are one of the most peculiar ecosystems in the world, being characterized by an extraordinarily rich crustacean fauna, with a high degree of endemism. Among them, diaptomid copepods are among the most biogeographically interesting taxa. However, the present knowledge on diaptomid distribution is still far from being exhaustive, even in the relatively well-studied western European countries. In this study, we report the first record of the diaptomid calanoid copepod Metadiaptomus chevreuxi for the Iberian Peninsula, where it was collected in five temporary ponds in Andalusia (Spain). The characteristics of the new sites are described, the literature dealing with the European localities of the species is reviewed, and a molecular phylogenetic tree has been built, based on new and previously available mitochondrial DNA sequences, thus expanding the knowledge on the ecology and phylogeography of this rare species. The species mainly occupies small isolated temporary ponds in (semi-)arid regions, suggesting adaptations to unpredictable aquatic habitats. The existence of two molecular clades separating the Iberian from the Sicilian and Tunisian populations supports the existence of a longitudinal long-term disjunction, whereas the north-south flow is probably facilitated by migrating birds. Further research on the biota of the small water bodies of the western Mediterranean area may help to expand our knowledge on rare aquatic species, such as M. chevreuxi, and to better interpret their natural history.
Highlights
The inland waters of the Iberian Peninsula host an extraordinarily rich crustacean fauna, which is characterized by a high degree of endemism, and the occurrence of relict taxa with disjunct distributions [1,2,3,4,5,6]
The diaptomid fauna of the Iberian Peninsula has been the object of extensive study [1,3,10,11,12,13,14], the known distribution of species in this group is under continuous update [15,16], new species for the fauna of the peninsula and associated archipelagos are still being found [17,18], and the actual identity of some taxa is in need of confirmation
The Andalusian localities of M. chevreuxi occur at rather high altitudes (1050–1830 m a.s.l., see Table 1), in contrast with the low altitudes at which most of the other currently known sites are located
Summary
The inland waters of the Iberian Peninsula host an extraordinarily rich crustacean fauna, which is characterized by a high degree of endemism, and the occurrence of relict taxa with disjunct distributions [1,2,3,4,5,6]. The recent synopses published by different authors [19,20,21] are only tentative, and the compilation of an updated checklist and distribution atlas of the Iberian diaptomid fauna is desirable For this reason, sampling campaigns aimed at providing new data on diaptomid presence and distribution in hitherto undersampled areas of the Iberian Peninsula are currently underway. Its distribution includes arid and semi-arid areas of the western Palearctic biogeographical region, in an area roughly comprised between 23◦ and 39◦ of latitude N and 9◦ W to 53◦ E of longitude, where it is a conspicuous denizen of temporary ponds and pools Within this wide geographical belt, M. chevreuxi has a scattered distribution, with three isolated clusters of occurrence localities located in the western Mediterranean area (Maghreb, Majorca and Sicily), in some central Sahara oases
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