The Ponto–Caspian Zoogeographic complex of Cyclopoida in the Caspian, Azov and Black Seas

Abstract

Zoogeographical conclusions are drawn from several years of taxonomic study of the Cyclopoida of the Ponto–Caspian brackish water region. The total Ponto–Caspian complex of Cyclopoida comprises 19 species of which 7 species are endemics to the Caspian provinces and 9 species to the mixohaline waters of the Black and Azov Seas, while 3 species are common to both areas. Of these 19 species 11 are of marine origin. The remaining ones are of freshwater origin. It is shown for the first time that Cyclopoida of the Ponto–Caspian complex are also present in the Black and Azov Seas where they occur together at the same localities with representatives of this complex from other animal groups. As compared with these other groups Cyclopoida show a higher proportion of species endemism in the Black and Azov Seas. Even a case of generic endemism among Cyclopoida is reported for the first time for these seas.