Cladocera of Periyar Lake and Adjacent Sites, Thekkady, Kerala

2004·5.8 MB·

by  K K Subhash Babu

Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society, 101 (3), Sep-Dec 2004 403-414
CLADOCERA OF PERIYAR LAKE AND ADJACENT SITES, THEKKADY, KERALA4
K.K. Subhash Babu23andC.K.G.Nayar2-4
'Accepted March 2004
Zoological Research Laboratory, Christ College, Thusharam, Azad Road, Irinjalakuda 680 125, Kerala, India
’Email: kallikadavil@yahoo com
4Email: ckgnayar@rediffmail corn
Thecladoceran fauna ofPeriyar Lake and adjoining water bodies, situated in the PeriyarTiger Reserve, Kerala, was
studied. The present paper deals with the systematic study of23 species, based on random collections. Females of
AlonaclathratulaSars,CamptocercusuncinatusSmirnov, BiaperturaintermediaSarsandmalesofDiaphanosomasarsi
RichardandCeriodaphniacornutaSarswererecorded forthe firsttimefrom India.
Key words: Cladocera, PeriyarLake, systematic study, distribution, India
INTRODUCTION weeds collected from the lake and other water bodies. The
samples were immediately preserved in 5% formaline.
A review ofliterature on the freshwater Cladocera of Dissections were done wherever necessary, using tungsten
Kerala, Indiarevealsthat no attempt has been made to study micro-needleanddrawingsweremadewiththehelpofcamera
this fauna. Michael and Hann (1979) reported two species lucida. Measurements were made using calibrated
fromThiruvananthapuram. In 1988,MichaelandSharmaadded micrometers.
eight species from Thiruvananthapuram and nine from
Irinjalakudatothe cladoceran faunaofKerala. Otherstudies SYSTEMATIC ACCOUNT
arebyThresiammaetal. (1991)onpopulationdynamics,and
SubhashBabuandNayar(1993, 1997)onbiology.Thepresent Cladocera are generally considered an artificial group
studyisapreliminarysurveyofthemicrofaunaoftheaquatic comprising representatives of rather different phylogenetic
habitats in andaround PeriyarLake. origin. Fryer (1987) classified the “group” Cladocera into 4
Periyar Lake was formed a century ago due to the Orders, Ctenopoda, Anomopoda, Onychopoda and
constructionoftheMullaperiyardamacross RiverPeriyarin Haplopoda.
1895. It is situated within the PeriyarTiger Reserve and has
anareaof26sq. km. PeriyarTigerReserveliesbetween9° 15' Class: Crustacea
and9°40'N,and76° 55'and77° 25'EintheWesternGhats, in Subclass: Branchiopoda
Idukkidistrict, Kerala. Theheightofthe Reservevariesfrom Order:Ctenopoda
900to2,019m.Thetemperatureis 15.5 °CduringDecember- FamilySididaeBaird, 1850
January and 31 °C during April-May. The average annual 1. DiaphanosomasarsiRichard, 1894(Figs 1-6)
rainfall is2,500 mm, includingbothsouthwestandnortheast This typical planktonic species was represented by
monsoon. 13 specimensinthesamplescollectedfromthe littoralregions
Although we have information on the terrestrial fauna of the lake. The specimens included 8 parthenogenetic
ofPeriyarTigerReserve,ourknowledgeoftheaquaticfauna females,3 ephippialfemalesand2 males.
is limited. Recently, Zacharias et al. (1996) reported the Parthenogenetic female: Body somewhat elongated
presence of 35 species of fishes in this area, based on andtransparent(Fig. 1);headsmall withrelativelylargeeyes;
collections from lakes and rivers. The crustacean group without rostrum; valves with varying number of denticles
Cladocera is an important component of freshwater along the posterior ventral corner (Fig. 2); ventral margin
zooplankton. indexed to form a broad dap; antennules small, cigarette-
shaped with terminal setae; antennae large but not reaching
MATERIALAND METHODS
posterior margin of valves; dorsal ramus 2-segmented and
ventral ramus 3-segmented; postabdomen without anal
Samples from water bodies and canals adjacent to the spines;clawwith3 longbasalspines(Fig. 3);ephippialfemale
Lakewerecollectedwiththehelpofatownetmadeofbolting carries2 ephippia, one on each side.
silk (70 pm). Specimens were also obtained by washing the Male; Smaller than female, characterised by the
CLADOCERA OF PERIYAR LAKE AND ADJACENT SITES
0.05
Figs1-6 DiaphanosomasarsiRichard; 1. Female, 2 Shellduplicature,3 Postabdomenoffemale,4 Male, 5 Postabdomenofmale,
6 Endopoditeoffirstthoraciclegofmale;
Figs7-8 LatonopsisaustralisSars;7 Female, 8 Postabdomenoffemale;
Figs9-12: CeriodaphniacornutaSars;9 Female, 10 Postabdomenoffemale, 11. Male, 12.Antennuleofmale;
Figs 13-14 Simocephalus/af/rosfnsStingelin; 13. Female, 14 Postabdomenoffemale
presence oflong whip-like antennnle (Fig. 4), postabdomen Remarks: Females reported by Raghunathan (1989)
withtwolongspermducts(Fig. 5);endopoditeoffirstthoracic from Wynaad, Kerala; males reported forthe firsttime from
legmodifiedtoform asickle-shapedhook(Fig. 6). India. Earlierreportsofthisspecies from Indiaincludethose
Size:Female-0.86x0.38 mm,Male-0.67x0.32 mm. ofGurney(1907)from Bihar, Biswas(1971)from Rajasthan,
404 J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc., 101 (3), Sep-Dec 2004
CLADOCERA OF PERIYAR LAKE AND ADJACENT SITES
Patil(1976)fromMeghalaya,Sharma(1978),Venkataramanand single oval egg.
Das(2001)fromWestBengal,andMichaelandSharma(1988) Male: Smallerthanfemale(Fig. 1 1);bodyquadrangular
from Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and New Delhi. D. sarsi is a in outline with straight dorsal margin; antennule longer than
widelydistributedspeciesknownfromAsia,AfricaandAustralia. that of female, and with two sensory hairs (Fig. 12); first
thoracic leg with a prehensile hook and a long flagellum
2. LatonopsisaustralisSars, 1888(Figs7-8) emergingthrough the ventral margin ofvalves.
A few females of this species were present in the Size:Female:0.55x0.41 mm,Male:0.38x0.22 mm.
samples collected amongthe littoral weeds ofthe lake and a Remarks: Ceriodaphniacomutaiswidelydistributed
nearby ditch. in the tropical and subtropical regions oftheworld. In India,
Female: Body elongated; head indistinctly separated it is known from West Bengal (Gurney 1906, Sharma 1978)
from rest ofbody (Fig. 7); posterior margin ofvalves with Bihar (Nasar 1977), Rajasthan (Nayar 1971, Biswas 1971,
long plumose setae decreasing in length dorsally; antennule Venkataraman 1992),Meghalaya(Patil 1976), Karnataka(Patil
segmented with a long flagellum beset with sensory setae; and Gouder 1988), Kerala (Michael and Sharma 1988), and
antenna prominent with 3-segmented dorsal ramus and West Bengal (Venkataraman and Das 2001). Males of
2-segmented ventral ramus; valve with characteristic shell C. comutaarebeingreportedforthefirsttime from India.
gland;postabdomensmall,with 8-9marginalspinesandclaw
with2 longbasal spines(Fig. 8). 4.SimocephaluslatirostrisStingelin, 1906(Figs 13-14)
Size: 1.06x0.61 mm. This species was represented by 2 parthenogenetic
Remarks: Firstreport front Kerala State. Michael and females inaditch nearKokkarawayal.
Sharma (1988) reported the occurrence of this species in Female: Bodywith itsmaximumheightbehindmiddle
Madurai(TamilNadu)and Rajasthan. Theirspecimensdiffer (Fig. 13); head small separated from rest ofbody by a deep
from the present specimens in having 3 long setae at the cervical sinus; snout projects ventrally forming a rostrum;
posteroventralcomerofthevalves,andashortpostabdomen vertex without spinules; valves ornamented with oblique
with only7 lateral denticles. The specimens from Thekkady, striations forming a network, dorsal margin arched; ventral
however, show remarkable similarity with L. australis margin nearly straight; posterior margin slightly serrated,
described by Korovichinsky (1992) from Queensland, forming a blunt process; antennule longer than rostrum,
Australia.Latonopsisoccidentalis Birge,reportedby Biswas sensorysetanearitsbase;antennaereachonlyhalfthe length
(1971)from Rajasthan isconsideredasynonymofL. australis ofbody; postabdomen broadwithaprominentpreanal angle,
byHardingandPetkovski(1963). Venkataraman(1992, 1993, itsdorsalmarginwith6analspinesincreasinginsizedistally;
1995) reported this species from Keoladeo National Park, claw long,withoutbasal spine(Fig. 14).
Rajasthan, and Tamil Nadu. Venkataraman and Das (2001) Size: .30x0.88 mm.
1
also reported L. australis from West Bengal. Remarks: Firstreport from Kerala State. S. latirostris
is known to be a rare species, never occurring in large
Order:Anomopoda numbers. In India, this species was first reported by Biswas
FamilyDaphniidaeStraus, 1820 (1971) from Rajasthan and subsequently by Michael and
3.CeriodaphniacomutaSars, 1885 (Figs9-12) Sharma(1988)fromTamilNaduandRajasthan.
This species was abundant in the samples collected
fromthe lakeandnearbyhabitats. Thepopulation comprised 5.Simocephalusexspinosus(Koch, 1841)(Figs 15-16)
parthenogeneticfemales, ephippial femalesand afewmales. A largenumberofparthenogeneticfemaleswerepresent
Female: Body of parthenogenetic female somewhat in aditch adjacentto PeriyarLake.
rounded in outline (Fig. 9); head small, distinctly separated Female: Body large, somewhat rhomboidal in outline
from rest ofbody by a conspicuous cervical sinus; ventral (Fig. 15); head relatively small, with short rostrum; ocellus
margin of head produced into a short rostrum in front of minute; shell forms a blunt protuberance at its posterior
antennules;valveswithdistinctpolygonal markings;margins margin; posterior half of shell margin denticulate; valves
smooth; posterodorsal corner produced into a blunt process; ornamentedwith interconnectedobliquestriations.Antennule
antennule short, not extending beyond tip ofrostrum; horn- extendsbeyondtipofrostrum; postabdomenbroadwithacute
likeprocessmayormaynotbepresentonanterodorsalmargin preanal angle, 12-14anal spines;clawlong,pectinate,without
ofhead; postabdomen short, with 5-6 sharply pointed anal basalspine(Fig. 16).
spines; claw without basal spine (Fig. 10); ephippial female Size: 1.35x0.86mm.
withmoreroundedbody,withouthead-horn;ephippiumwith Remarks: First report from Kerala. S. exspinosus is
J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc., 101 (3), Sep-Dec 2004 405
CLADOCERA OF PERIYAR LAKE AND ADJACENT SITES
Figs 15-16: Simocephalusexspinosus Koch); 15 Female, 16 Postabdomen;
{
Figs17-19: llyocryptusspimferHerrick; 17 Female, 18.Antennule, 19 Postabdomenoffemale;
Figs20-22 MacrothrixspmosaKing;20 Female,21 Antennuleoffemale,22 Postabdomenoffemale;
Figs23-25 Macrothrixtriseriahs(Brady); 23. Female,24 Antennuleoffemale,25 Postabdomenoffemale;
Figs.26-28 Macrothrixodiosa(Gurney): 26. Female, 27 Antennuleoffemale, 28 Postabdomenoffemale
known to be a cosmopolitan species. In India, it is reported FamilyIlyocryptidaeSmirnov, 1976
from Meghalaya (Patil 1976), West Bengal (Sharma 1978; 6. llyocryptusspiitiferHerrick, 1882(Figs 17-19)
Michael and Sharma 1988;Venkataramanand Das2001 and Five parthenogenetic females were obtained from a
)
Karnataka (Patil and Gouder 1988). The specimens from temporarywaterbodyat PeriyarTigerReserve.
DharwaddescribedbyPatilandGouder(1988)differfromthe Female: Body shape characteristicwith deeplyarched
presentspecimensin havingaprominentrhomboidalocellus. ventral margin (Fig. 17); head small and tapering; ventral
406 J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc., 101 (3), Sep-Dec 2004
1 )
CLADOCERA OF PERIYAR LAKE AND ADJACENT SITES
margin of valves with long, branched, plumose setae; (MichaelandSharma 1988,Venkataramanand Das2001 and
)
antennule, bi-articulated proximal segment short, distal with Karnataka(PatilandGouder 1988).
a few terminal setae (Fig. 18); postabdomen bilobed, with
about25 marginaldenticlesandlonganalspines;clawslender 9. Macrothrixodiosa(Gurney, 1907)(Figs 26-28)
with 2 unequal basal spines (Fig. 19); anal aperture opens in A few parthenogenetic females were found in the
the middle ofpostabdomen. samplesfromthelake.
Size:0.67x0.53 mm. Female: Body oval in outline (Fig. 26); head large,
Remarks: Michael and Sharma (1988) reported this separated fromtrunkbyadistinctcervical sinus;carapacewith
speciesatThiruvananthapuram(Kerala)fromthecollections its posterior protuberance above the middle; valves without
ofD.G. Frey. Itisalsoknowntooccurin West Bengal(Gurney any characteristic ornamentation, their margins fringed with
1907,Sharma 1978, Venkataramanand Das2001), Rajasthan setaealongwholelength;antennulelong,slenderwithasensory
(Biswas 1971, Venkataraman 1992), Meghalaya(Patil 1976) seta near its base, a few short spinules and longterminal setae
andKarnataka(PatilandGouder 1988). (Fig. 27);postabdomen largeandbilobed(Fig. 28).
Size:0.76x0.53 mm.
FamilyMacrothricidaeNorman&Brady, 1867 Remarks: First report from Kerala. Gurney (1907)
7.MacrothrixspinosaKing, 1852(Figs 20-22) reportedthisspecies from Bihar, Biswas(1971); Michaeland
A common species, found in several samples from the Sharma(1988)from Rajasthan,and Patil andGouder(1988)
lake and neighbouring sites. fromKarnataka.
Female: Body oval, without distinct cervical sinus
(Fig. 20);headlargewith pointed rostrum;eyesituatedclose FamilyMoinidaeGoulden, 1987
tomargin;ocellusminute;carapacewithabluntprotuberance 10.MoinamicruraKurz, 1874(Figs29-31
at its posterior margin; anterior dorsal margin minutely Several parthenogenetic females and a few ephippial
serrated;ventral marginwith aseriesoflongsetae; antennule females were present in the lake plankton.
originates from tip of rostrum, distally expanded; lateral Female: Body small, thick and transparent (Fig. 29);
sensory seta near its base; a group ofsensory papillae on its head relatively large, with shallow supraoculardepression; a
apex(Fig. 2 postabdomenshort;dorsal marginwith strong distinct cervical sinus between head and trunk; valves
1);
anal denticles and rows of minute lateral spinules; claw transparent with reticulations and 20-24 spinules on ventral
withoutbasalspine(Fig. 22). margin;surfaceofvalvesdevoidofsetulesorhairs;antennule
Size:0.36x0.25 mm. originateswellbehindeye; lateral sensorysetasituatedalmost
Remarks: Firstreportfrom Kerala. Biswas(1971)and in the middle; antenna reaching only up to middle ofvalves
Venkataraman (1992) reported this species from Rajasthan, when extended; postabdomen short, distally conical; with
Patil(1976)fromManipur, MichaelandSharma(1988)from 5 feathered lateral spinesandadistal bidenttooth;claw long;
TamilNaduandVenkataramanandDas(2001)fromW.Bengal. ephippiumsaddle-shaped, hard,darklypigmented,containing
one egg.
8.Macrothrixtriserialis(Brady, 1886)(Figs23-25) Size:0.75x0.44 mm.
A good number of adult females and juveniles were Remarks: M. micrura is widely distributed in India,
collectedfromthe lake. knownfromWestBengal(Sewell 1935,Sharma 1978,Michael
Female: Bodyofadultfemalenearlyoval(Fig. 23);head and Sharma 1988, Venkataramanand Das200 Tamil Nadu
1 ),
large, separated from rest ofbody by a conspicuous cervical (Brehm 1936,MichaelandSharma 1988),Karnataka(Patiland
depression; shell produced into a sharp angle posteriorly; Gouder, 1988),Rajasthan(Biswas 1971),Kerala(Michaeland
ventralmarginofvalveswith longbristles;antennuleslender, Shanna 1988, Raghunathan 1989).
cylindrical, armed with a series ofsmall spinules and a few
terminal setae (Fig. 24); postabdomen bilobed with several 1 .Moinamacrocopa(Straus, 1820)(Figs 32-35)
anteriorlydirecteddenticlesalongitsdorsal margin(Fig. 25); A sample obtained from a temporary water body at
claw short without basal spine. Periyar Tiger Reserve contained several parthenogenetic
Size:0.56x0.34 mm. females, 3 ephippial femalesand 5 malesofthisspecies
Remarks: Michael and Sharma (1988) reported this Female: Large-sized forms (Fig. 32); head broadly
speciesfromIrinjalakuda,KeralafromthecollectionsofC.K.G. rounded without supraocular depression; no ocellus; head
Nayar.Alsoknowntooccurin Bihar(Gurney 1907)Rajasthan and body covered with fine setules, setulation more dense
(Biswas 1971, Michael and Sharma 1988), West Bengal towardsdorsalhalf;valvesgranulatedwith faintreticulations
J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc., 101 (3), Sep-Dec 2004 407
CLADOCERA OF PERIYAR LAKE AND ADJACENT SITES
Figs29-31: MoinamicruraKurz; 29 Female, 30.Antennuleoffemale, 31 Anteriorportionoffemalepostabdomen;
Figs32-35 Moinamacrocopa(Straus);32. Female, 33 Antennuleoffemale, 34.Anteriorportionoffemalepostabdomen, 35. Male;
Figs36-37 BosminopsisdeitersiRichard, 36. Female,37. Postabdomenoffemale;
Figs38-40: Bosmmalongirostris{O F Muller); 38 Female, 39. Headwithantennule,40 Postabdomenoffemale
formed by interconnected longitudinal lines; ventral margin postabdomen largewith 9 longfeathered lateral spinesand a
armedwith80-90small setae,followedbyungroupedsetules; distalbidenttooth,clawpectinate(Fig. 34). Ephippialfemales
antennuleslarge,covered byhairsandsetules; lateralsensory smallerthan parthenogenetic females; setulesabsenton head
seta nearthe middle (Fig. 33). Antenna stout and hairy; first and valves; ephippium saddle-shaped, ornamented with
thoracic leg offemale distinct in having teeth on the ventral polygonal markings, contains 2 eggs.
margin of the penultimate segment of anterior seta; Male: Smaller than female (Fig. 35); head and trunk
408 J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc., 101 (3), Sep-Dec 2004
CLADOCERA OF PERIYAR LAKE AND ADJACENT SITES
densely covered by hairs; antennules very long, bent at VenkataramanandDas(2001)from WestBengal; Patil(1976)
middle; 2 lateral setae ofunequal length; 5 terminal hooks; fromMeghalaya,andMichaelandSharma(1988)fromMadhya
first thoracic legofmale distinct, with large recurved hooks Pradesh, West Bengal and Meghalaya.
on penultimate segment; postabdomen similar to that of
female. FamilyChydoridaeStebbing, 1902
Size:Female: 1.06x0.65 mm,Male:0.65x0.36mm. Sub-FamilyChydorinaeStebbing, 1902
Remarks: First report from Kerala. Goulden (1968) 14. Picriplei/roxussimilis(Vavra. 1900)
considers Moniaeasu Brehm, 1936 from Nilgiri HillsTamil (=PleuroxussimilisVavra, 1900).(Figs 41-43)
NaduandMoinaganapatiBrehm, 1963 from RiverYamuna, A few female specimens were obtained from a ditch
Delhi as synonyms ofM. macrocopa. nearKokkarawayal,Thekkady.
Female: Carapace with evenly arched dorsal margin,
FamilyBosminidaeSars, 1865 straight posterior margin and without any ornamentation;
12. RosminopsisdeitersiRichard, 1875 (Figs 36-37) ventral margin ofvalveswith feathered setae; posteroventral
A few parthenogenetic females in the lake plankton corner produced into a blunt spine (Fig. 41); head with
represented this species. long pointed rostrum curved backwards; labrum with
Female: Minuteformwithoval body,maximum height con.vex anterior margin and rounded ventral margin
behind middle (Fig. 36); head with long rostrum forming (Fig. 42); antennules short, never reaching tip of rostrum;
proboscis-like structure; valves ornamented with postabdomen slightly tapering distally, 9-10 anal spines;
reticulations; posterior corner rounded. Antennules united claw with 2 unequal basal spines, proximal shorter
attheir bases, diverge distally carrying a few terminal setae; (Fig.43).
postabdomen tapering distally; claw with prominent basal Size:0.44x0.30 mm.
spine(Fig. 37). Remarks: Frey (1993) suggested the generic name
Size:0.28x0.20mm. ‘Picripleuroxus’ for much elongated animals with elongated
Remarks: Michael and Sharma (1988) reported this postabdomen. Thepresentspeciescan bedistinguished from
speciesatIrinjalakuda, KeralafromthecollectionsofC.K.G. thecloselyrelatedPleuroxustrigonellus(O.F. Muller)bythe
Nayar.TheydifferfromThekkadyspecimens inhavingasmall presenceofnon-reticulatedvalves.Thenumberofanalspines
mucronate process and a few spinules on the posteroventral is found to be a variable character in Thekkady specimens.
comer ofthe valves. Patil and Gouder (1988) had one form Yousuf and Quadri (1977), and Quadri and Yousuf(1978)
with 2 spines and another with a single spine on the reported this species from Kashmir. Other Indian reports
posteroventral corner ofthe valves. Idris (1983) observed a includeSharma(1978)and VenkataramanandDas(2001 from
)
longandsharplypointedmarginal spineontheposteroventral West Bengal, Michael and Sharma (1988) from Shillong,
comer in his collections from Malaysia. These observations Venkataraman( 1992)from Bharatpur, Rajasthan.Thepresent
indicatethatthis is a variable character in B. deitersi. report isthefirstfrom Kerala.
13.Bosminalongirostris(O.F.Muller, 1776)(Figs 38-40) 15 AlonellaclathratulaSars, 1896(Figs 44-45)
A few specimens ofthis species were obtained from a Several parthenogenetic females were present along
smallditch inthe PeriyarTigerReserve. with Picripleuroxus similis in the samples collected from a
Female: Bodytransparentwithanarcheddorsalmargin; ditch nearKokkarawayal,Thekkady.
posteriormarginstraight;posteroventralcornerproducedinto Female: Body somewhat elongated and oval, with
aconspicuousbackwardlydirectedspine(Fig. 38);head large, slightly arched dorsal margin and straight posterior margin,
smoothly arched in front ofeye; antennules long, parallel to which ismorethanhalfofthemaximumbodyheight(Fig. 44);
eachother,terminallybentbackwards;olfactorysetaenearer valvesornamentedwith polygonswith longitudinal striations
to the base than to tip of the antennule (Fig. 39); antenna and stipples; ventral margins of valves with plumose setae
smallwith3-segmenteddorsalramusand4-segmentedventral along whole length; head relatively small with long pointed
ramus; postabdomen quadrate with 3 anal spines; claw with curvedrostrum;antennulesmall, reachingmiddleofrostrum;
aproximalpectenof4spinules(Fig. 40). labrum rounded anteriorly with a shallow notch at its apex;
Size:0.41 x0.29mm. postabdomen with distinct preanal angle; 9 anal spines and a
Remarks: First report from Kerala. Brehm (1936) few setules; claw of moderate size with 2 basal spines of
reported this species from Dal Lake, Kashmir; Yousufand unequalsize(Fig. 45).
Quadri (1977) from Malpur Sar, Kashmir; Sharma (1978), Size:0.32x0.22 mm.
J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc., 101 (3), Sep-Dec 2004 409
CLADOCERA OF PERIYAR LAKE AND ADJACENT SITES
Figs41-43 Picripleuroxussimilis(Vavra);41 Female,42 Plateoflabrum,43. Postabdomenoffemale,
.
Figs44-45:AlonaclathratulaSars;44 Female,45. Postabdomenoffemale;
Figs46-47 ChydoruseurynotusSars;46 Female,47 Postabdomenoffemale;
Figs48-49: Ephemeroporusbarroisi(Richard);48 Female,49 Postabdomenoffemale;
Figs50-51 ChydorusventricosusDaday; 50. Female, 51 Postabdomenoffemale;
:
Figs52-53 CamptocercusuncinatusSmirnov;52 Female,53 AnteriorportionofPostabdomen
Remarks: Although the present species is similar to striations while inA. excisathe polygons are not granulated.
A. excisa, its bodyand postabdomen aremoreelongated and Moreover, inA. clathratulathelabrumhasaslightdepression
more similar to A. clathratula. In A. clathratula the valves at itsanteroventralend.A. clathratulaisreportedforthefirst
are ornamented with granulated polygons and longitudinal timefrom India.
410 J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc., 101 (3), Sep-Dec 2004
)
CLADOCERA OF PERIYAR LAKE AND ADJACENT SITES
16. ChydoruseurynotusSars, 1901 (Figs46-47) slightly bent backwards; antennules reach about half the
Present intheplanktonsamplescollectedfromthe lake. length ofrostrum; postabdomen long, tapering with distinct
Female: Body somewhat spherical, with distinct pre-anal, post-anal corners and with 12-14 anal spines
posterodorsal corner (Fig. 46); valves without markings; (Fig. 51);clawsetulatedwith2basalspinesofunequal length.
dorsalmarginmorearchedthanventralmargin;posteroventral Size:0.5x0.31 mm.
margincharacteristicwithadoublecontourmarginandarow Remarks: This species was reported from Kerala by
of plumose setae on inner margin; head shield broadly Michael and Sharma (1988) from Thiruvananthapuram and
roundedposteriorlyandpointedanteriorly;rostrum longwith Irinjalakuda, Ragunathan (1989) from Wynaad. It is also
pointed apex; antennule small, reaching half way to tip of recorded inNilgiri Hills, Tamil Nadu (Brehm 1936) Gujarat
rostrum;postabdomenwithdistinctpre-analcorners(Fig. 47); (Petkovski 1966),Rajasthan(Biswas 1971,MichaelandSharma
dorsal margin ofpostabdomen armed with 9 anal spines and 1988),andWest Bengal(VenkataramanandDas2001).
claw with two unequal basal spines.
Size:0.36x0.27mm. Sub-FamilyAloninaeFrey. 1967
Remarks: First report from Kerala. Earlier reports in 19.CamptocercusimcinatusSmirnov, 1991 (Figs 52-53)
IndiaarethoseofNayar(1971)andVenkataraman(1990)from TwomaturefemaleswereobtainedfromKokkarawayal
Rajasthan,andBattish(1981 from Punjab. ditch, Thekkady.
)
Female: Bodynearlyoval,witharcheddorsalandalmost
17.Ephemeroporusbarroisi(Richard, 1894)(Figs 48-49) straightventralmargin,withseriesofsetae(Fig. 52);maximum
Large numbers of parthenogenetic females were height slightly anterior to the middle ofthe body; postero-
collectedfromalake. ventralcornerroundedandsmooth, withoutdenticles; valves
Female: Bodywitharcheddorsalmargin,withmaximum ornamented with several longitudinal parallel lines; rostrum
height in the middle (Fig. 48); posterior margin straight and broad and slightlypointed; ocellus smallerthan eye, situated
short with posterodorsal angle and short spine at nearerto the eye than to the tip ofrostrum; antennule almost
posteroventral corner; ventral margin forms a broad angle in reachingthe tip ofrostrum; postabdomen very long, narrow,
the middle and is setulated posteriorly; valves ornamented with about 20 anal denticles; claw with large basal spine
with polygonal cell markings; rostrum short, pointed and (Fig. 53).
directeddownwards;ocellusmuch smallerthaneye, situated Size:0.68x0.47 mm.
at halfthe length ofrostrum; antennule reaches about half Remarks: The specimens agree with the description
the length oftherostrum; labrum characteristic with serrated bySmirnov(1974).This isthe firstreport from India.
anteriormarginhaving5-6 teethandabluntlypointed ventral
margin;postabdomenrelativelyshortwithprominentpreanal 20. Biaperturaa/finis(Leydig, 1860)(Figs 54-55)
cornerand9-10 anal spinesofunequal length(Fig. 49);claw A few specimens collected from among the weeds of
with two basal spines, ofwhich proximal one much shorter Kokkarawayal ditch,Thekkady.
than the distal. Female: Bodyoblongwitharcheddorsalmargin,nearly
Size:0.27x0.18 mm. straight setulated ventral margin and rounded posterodorsal
Remarks: First report from Kerala. The present and posteroventralcorners(Fig. 54); valveswith longitudinal
specimenagreeswiththedescriptiongivenbySmirnov(1996). striationsthataremoredistincttowardsposteriorand ventral
Michael and Sharma (1988) recorded this species from margins; head shield with pointed posterior margin and two
Thiruvananthapuram from the collections ofD.G. Frey. It is medianheadporeswith narrowconnectionbetweenthem, in
also known from Gujarat(Petkovski 1966) and West Bengal additiontotwo lateral poressituated oneon eithersideofthe
(Sharma 1978;Venkataramanand Das2001). anterior pore; rostrum blunt and antennules not reachingthe
apexofrostrum; labrumevenlyroundedanteriorly,somewhat
18. ChydorusventricosusDaday, 1898(Figs 50-51 pointedventrally;postabdomenofalmostuniformwidth,with
Femalespecimenscollectedfrom littoralweedymargin about 15 anal denticles and about 10 groups oflateral setae
oflake. (Fig. 55);claw longwith single basal spine.
Female: Body somewhat oval, with rounded Size:0.62x0.34 mm.
posterodorsal and posteroventral corners; ventral margin Remarks: Firstreport from Kerala. InIndia,thisspecies
strongly bulging outwards at the middle; posteroventral isknownfromKashmir(Brehm 1936),Gujarat(Petkovski 1966),
margin with double line (Fig. 50); valves ornamented with WestBengal(Sharma 1978,MichaelandSharma 1988)Meghalaya
faint wavy hexagonal markings; rostrum long, pointed and (MichaelandSharma 1988)and Punjab(Battish 1992).
J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc., 101 (3), Sep-Dec 2004 411
CLADOCERA OF PERIYAR LAKE AND ADJACENT SITES
Figs54-55 Biaperturaaffinis(Leydig) 54 Female, 55 Postabdomenoffemale;
Figs56-57: Biaperturakaruva King): 56. Female, 57 Postabdomenoffemale,
(
Figs58-59: BiaperturaintermediaSars: 58. Female, 59. Postabdomen(female);
Figs60-61 Biaperturaverrucosa(Sars):60 Female,61 Postabdomen(female)
21. Biaperturakaruva(King, 1852)(Figs 56-57) species; valves ornamented with oblique parallel striations
Femalespecimenswerecollectedfromthelakenearthe and polygon markings; rostrum blunt, antennules almost
boathouse. reachingitsapex;postabdomenbroadlyrounded,distaldorsal
Female: Body of female with evenly arched dorsal margin armed with 8-10 anal denticles and 11-13 groups of
margin, itsmaximumheightbeingalittlebehindthemiddleof lateralsetaethatmayextendbeyonditsdorsalmargin(Fig. 57);
the body (Fig. 56); valves with rounded posteroventral claw with very short basal spine.
comers, with about 5 denticles which is characteristic ofthe Size:0.36x0.23 mm.
412 J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc., 101 (3), Sep-Dec 2004