Diversity of freshwater Cladocera (Crustacea: Branchiopoda) in South Korea

Abstract

Although the Palearctic is among best studied regions in the study of Cladocera (Crustacea: Branchiopoda), the information of their taxonomic composition and distribution in South Korea is still limited. This study conducted in South Korea has resulted in 27 new species and new records; two species new to science and 25 species which are new records for Korea. These species following to; Pleuroxus jejuensis Jeong, Kotov & Lee, 2013; Ilyocryptus yooni Jeong, Kotov & Lee, 2012; Ilyocryptus spinifer Herrick, 1882; Ilyocryptus cuneatus Štifter, 1988; Ilyocryptus cf. raridentatus Smirnov, 1989; Macrothrix triserialis Brady, 1886; Macrothrix pennigera Shen, Sung & Chen, 1961; Bosmina (Sinobosmina) fatalis Burckhardt, 1924; Leydigia (Neoleydigia) acanthocercoides (Fischer, 1854); Kurzia (Rostrokurzia) longirostris (Daday, 1898); Alona weltneri Keihack, 1905; Alona kotovi Sinev, 2012; Camptocercus uncinatus Smirnov, 1971; Camptocercus vietnamensis Than, 1980; Monospilus daedalus Kotov & Sinev, 2011; Nedorchynchotalona chiangi Kotov & Sinev, 2011; Ephemeroporus cf. barroisi (Richard, 1894); Disparalona cf. hamata (Birge, 1879); Disparalona ikarus Kotov & Sinev, 2011; Chydorus irinae Smirnov & Sheveleva, 2010; Leptodora richardi Korovchinsky, 2009. Moreover, in this study, I made an inventory of cladoceran fauna of South Korea based on original samples from 71 localities, where 62 taxa are found. In 30 localities from Jeju Island, I revealed 23 taxa. Particularly interesting taxa (i.e. new records for Korea) are redescribed based on the Korean material. I annotated checklist of the taxa from inland aquatic habitats of South Korea, containing 85 valid species is presented. These species are grouped into three orders, nine families, and 36 genera containing 85 species. Several important biogeographic groups were recognized by: Far East endemic species; tropicopolitan species for which Korea could be northern most area of distribution; Palearctic taxa for which Korea could be the southernmost area of distribution and cosmopolitan taxa. These studies indicate the coexistence of Northern and Southern faunistic complexes in the Palearctic region. Korean records on the cladoceran fauna of Korea significantly, were improved through this study, but such efforts need to be continued. Apparently further studies will increase number of taxa in Korea.