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Leptestheria timmsi sp. nov. (Figs.2A–B; Figs.3A–E) Eoleptestheria ticinensis Timms (2009) Etymology. The new species is named after Dr. Brian Timms, an expert on large branchiopods who has contributed extensively to the taxonomy and systematics of Australian animals Type locality. Australia, Queensland, Bindegolly National Park, Lake Toomaroo; - 27° 58’ 47.604” N, 144° 12’ 3.708” E. Type material. Holotype. 1 hermaphrodite (collected by M. Handley on 01.02.2006) deposited at the Australian museum, Sydney (Registration number: P92974). Paratypes. 8 hermaphrodites deposited at the Australian museum, Sydney (Registration number: P80191). Other material examined. Slovakia (Trebišov District/Novosad; MNHN-IU-2007-1122 (= MNHN-Bp83)). Mali (Mopti region/Sanga (Sangha); MNHN-IU-2007-747 (= MNHN-Bp463). Description (Diagnosis) of putative hermaphrodite. Population from the type locality of this species has been thoroughly described by Timms (2009) and hence we focus only the diagnostic traits and the traits that were not elaborated earlier. Head (Fig. 2A) with a distinct ocular tubercle. Eyes moderate sized about 0.6–0.7 times the width of ocular tubercle. The ratio of RL/TL ranging from 0.7–0.8. Occipital condyle rounded with a straight dorso-posterior margin. The rostral spine long, arched and nearly 6–8 times as long as the width at its base. Carapace oval with maximum width to maximum length ratio ranging from 0.55–0.6. Trunk. Last 12–14 body segments, each bear group of stout setae, directed posteriorly with acute apices, longest setae ~ 6–8 times as long as wide at the base (Fig.3B), numbers and size of longest setae increasing initially and then both decreasing gradually. Telson marginal spines ~ 40–45 in number, gradually increasing in length posteriorly (Fig. 2B). Telson marginal spines broadly of two types based on their length and shape. Posterior 1/3 rd spines 1.5–2 times longer than the anterior 2/3 rd. Anterior spines as long as their width at the base while posterior 1/3 rd 2–3 times the width at their base (Figs. 2B, 3A, 3C). Distance between the spines is subequal, lesser in the bigger spines and increases anteriorly (Figs. 2B, 3A, 3C). Telson filaments located between the 1–3 rd marginal spines (Fig. 2B). Cercopod long, gently arched, slightly extending beyond the telson spiniform projection and nearly equal to the length of the telson dorsal margin (Fig. 2B). Cercopod marginal spines closely spaced, increasing in size posteriorly with the most posterior spines 3-4 times in length than the most anterior spines (Figs. 2B, 3E). Smallest spines 2 times in length as compared with their base while the longest spines nearly 4–5 times in length as compared to their base (Fig.2B). Most of the anterior spines aligned medially and therefore not directly visible (Fig. 3D). Distribution. Northern Australia. In addition to the Lake Toomaroo population, two other populations are known (but not studied in this work), namely the Kuranda population in Queensland and the Benmore Well clay pan population (Pilbara) in Western Australia (see Timms, 2009).

Leptestheria gomantaki sp. nov. (Figs. 5, 6B, 7B) Leptestheria sp. M089 (Schwentner et al. 2020) Etymology. The species is named after the Indian name for the Goa region, Gomantak. Type locality. A dried temporary pool in sand dunes in Benaulim, India: Goa (15°15′36″N, 73°55′13″E; Date of collection of sediment Oct 2016). The absence of typical aquatic vegetation suggests that water is only present for a short time. Type material. Holotype. One female (without carapace) (in 4% formalin + glycerin) deposited at the Western Regional Centre of Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), Pune (Registration number: ZSI-WRC C.2074) Other material estudied. One female. Description. Male. Males were not obtained in the rehydrated sediments. Description. Female (holotype). Head. Eyes large, noticeable ocular tubercle but ocular notch not very conspicuous, ocellus elongated with a crescent shape, projecting fornix, rostrum triangular, spine present at the tip of rostrum, spine ~5 times as long as wide and arched, occipital condyle projecting but not prolonged with a pointed apex directed perpendicularly to the dorsal margin, L/W ratio of ~0.6. (Fig. 5A). First antenna. Bulbous and prolonged, more than two times the length of base of second antenna, about 6–8 lobes present on dorsal margin, each lobe lined with several sensillae. Second antenna. Bi-ramous with 14 flagellomeres, each flagellomere bearing about 3–8 long posteriorly projecting spines with acute apices on posterior surface and plumose setae on the anterior face. Carapace. Length. 6.3 mm; Width 3.3 mm (holotype carapace damaged; not measured). Roughly rectangular, straight dorsal and ventral margins, umbone prominent located on the anterior 1/3 rd of the carapace, carapace with 15 + distinct carapace lines, brown in coloration. Trunk. Trunk consisting of 24 segments, each with a pair of thoracopods and decreasing in size posteriorly, the last 6 very small. Thoracopods. As per the genus without any fingerlike exopodite projections, thoracopods 9 and 10 with long epipodites for carrying eggs. Segments 13–24, each bearing bunch of stout posteriorly directed setae with acute apices, number increasing anteriorly first and then slightly decreasing, maximum of 5–7 setae seen per segment (Figs. 5B, 7B). Telson. Broadly rectangular; dorsal margin gently arched, the lateral edge ending with a big spine, ~0.3 times the length of the cercopod; dorsal margin lined with about 30 irregularly sized spines but largest at the posterior end, largest spines ~2 times the length of smallest spines (Figs. 6B, 7B). Cercopods. Long, about ~1.1 times the length of dorsal margin of telson, highly arched and tapering posteriorly; tip exceeding the posterior lateral projection of the telson; 2/3 rd of the anterior part of the dorsal margin gradually increasing posteriorly with largest spines densely packed, the last few (4–5) as long as the breadth of the thickest region of the telson spine (Figs. 5C, 6B). Remarks. The female specimen (holotype) described here was used for obtaining sequences (few limbs), which were subsequently used to generate the phylogeny by Schwentner et al. 2020 (coded M089; Fig. 2 in Schwentner et al. 2020). Males of this species could not be obtained in the sediment rehydration. This species was still recognized as a distinct species because the unique head/cercopod morphology of the female amongst all the other Indian species. The cercopod structure of L. gomantaki resembles the Chinese species Leptestheria kunmingensis Shu, Rogers, Chen & Yang, 2015 female (Shu et al. 2015). This species was seen to co-occur with Eulimnadia bondi, Padhye, Rabet, Kulkarni & Pagni, 2018., Published as part of Padhye, Sameer M., Kulkarni, Mihir R., Pagni, Marco & Rabet, Nicolas, 2023, New leptestherid clam shrimps (Pancrustacea: Branchiopoda: Spinicaudata Leptestheriidae) from peninsular India, pp. 205-220 in Zootaxa 5264 (2) on pages 210-212, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5264.2.3, http://zenodo.org/record/7836432, {"references":["Schwentner, M., Rabet, N, Richter, S., Giribet, G., Padhye, S., Cart, J., Bonillo, C., Rogers, D. C. (2020). Phylogeny and biogeography of Spinicaudata (Crustacea: Branchiopoda). Zoological Studies, 59, 44. https: // doi. org / 10.6620 / ZS. 2020.59 - 44","Shu, S., Rogers, D. C., Chen, X. & Yang, J. (2015) Two new species of clam shrimp (Branchiopoda: Spinicaudata) from Yunnan Province, China. Journal of Crustacean Biology, 35, 454 - 460. https: // doi. org / 10.1163 / 1937240 X- 00002338","Padhye, S. M., Rabet, N., Kulkarni, M. R. & Pagni, M. (2018) A new species of genus Eulimnadia Packard, 1874 (Branchiopoda: Spinicaudata: Limnadiidae) from India with an updated key for some Indian species. Zootaxa, 4399 (3), 341 - 350. https: // doi. org / 10.11646 / zootaxa. 4399.3.4"]}

Leptestheria chalukyae sp. nov. (Figs.3, 4, 6A, 7A) Leptestheria sp. M128 (Schwentner et al. 2020) Etymology. The species is named after the great medieval Indian dynasty called Chalukyas (Badami Chalukyas) who ruled large parts of Southern/Central India and whose capital was Badami where these specimens were collected from. Type locality. A rock pool dug in red sandstone near Badami fort (India: Karnataka) (15°55′17″N, 75°41′3″E; Date of collection of sediment, Oct 2016). Type material. Holotype. One male (4% formalin + glycerin) deposited at the Western Regional Centre of Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), Pune (Registration number: ZSI-WRC C.2073). Other material studied. Two females. Description. Male (holotype). Head. Broadly rectangular. Eyes large, noticeable ocular tubercle. Ocellus elongated and irregularly shaped, located at middle of rostrum. Prominent fornix. Rostrum broad and spatulate, occipital condyle rounded, barely projecting, spine present at the tip of rostrum (Fig.3B), spine nearly three times as long as wide and gently arching. First antenna. Antenna long, bulbous, more than two times the length of base of second antenna; about 10–14 lobes present on dorsal margin, each lobe lined with several sensillae. Second antenna. Bi-ramous, endopod and exopod with 14 flagellomeres (Fig.3C), length nearly twice the head length, each flagellomere bearing about 3–8 long posteriorly projecting spines with acute apices and plumose setae on opposite sides, flagellomere size decreasing posteriorly. Carapace. Length 7.6 mm; Height 3.4 mm. Oblong, dorsal and ventral margin straight, umbone prominent located on the anterior 1/3 rd of the carapace. Carapace with 10 + distinct carapace lines, light brown in coloration (Fig.3A), ventral margin lined with fine setae. Trunk. Consisting of 26 segments (Fig.3C), each with a pair of thoracopods and decreasing in size posteriorly, the last eight being the smallest. Thoracopods I & II. Modified as claspers. Both claspers large. Movable finger (endopod) broad anteriorly but narrowing and hook like distally in both claspers. Large palp (endite 5) two segmented in both claspers, both segments nearly equal in length in first clasper; distal segment about 1.3 times in length than proximal segment in the second clasper. Small palp (endite 4 outgrowth) cylindrically shaped, 2.5x as long as broad, directed posteriorly in both claspers, palm (endite 4) rectangular, as long as broad in the first clasper, marginally longer than broad in the second clasper, triangular protrusion observed medially at base of palm in both claspers, gripping area of the palm with small tubercles (smallest as long as broad) anteriorly and increasing gradually in size posteriorly (Fig. 4A). Other thoracopods having similar structure with 5 endites as the other members of the genus, decreasing in size posteriorly, the last eigth very small. Segments 16–26, each bearing bunch of stout posteriorly directed setae with acute apices dorsally (Fig. 3D), number increasing anteriorly first and then gradually decreasing, maximum of 6–7 setae are seen per segment. Telson. Broadly rectangular in shape. Dorsal margin distinctly arched, the lateral edge ending with a big spine, ~0.4 times the length of the cercopod. Dorsal margin with ~30 irregularly sized spines, longest spines twice as long as broad and 2.5 times as long as the smallest spines. Telson filaments between 1 stand 3 rd marginal spines (Fig.4B). Cercopod. Long, about 0.8 times the length of dorsal margin of telson, tapering posteriorly; margin gently curved until 2/3 rd of the length, tips dorsally and gradually upturned, tip at the same level as the postero-lateral projection of the telson; 2/3 rd of the anterior part of the dorsal margin lined with about 30 similar sized spinules, equally spaced (Fig. 4B). Female. Similar to male morphology but with some variations. Carapace size. Length 6.7 & 6.3 mm; Height 3.4 & 3.2 mm. Rostrum triangular, rostral spine long, ~4 times as long as broad at the base; occipital condyle similar to male (Figs. 3E, 7A); Telson. Dorsal edge less convex than male lined with about 20 irregularly sized spines (Fig.6A). Cercopods highly arched, spines on the dorsal margin gradually increasing posteriorly with last 6–7 spines being about 0.7–0.8 times that of the breadth of the thickest region of the telson spine (Fig. 3F). Remarks. The female described here was used (few limbs) for obtaining sequence which were subsequently used to generate the phylogeny by Schwentner et al. 2020 (coded M128; Fig 2 in Schwentner et al. 2020). This species differs from the rest of Indian species based on the occipital condyle shape/length and the very big cercopod marginal spines in males. The rounded occipital condyle of L. chalukyae sp. nov. resembles with Eoleptestheria species (E. ticinensis (Balsamo-Crivelli, 1859)). It is also relatively similar to the Indian species L. sarsi described from Telangana (a southern state in India). The cercopod spine size and arrangement in the male differs in these species with L. sarsi having 6–8 very big spines (length of the biggest spine is nearly 0.7–0.8 times the thickest region of the cercopod) near the tip of the cercopod (Fig.3D in Padhye & Rabet, 2017) which is absent in L. chalukyae sp. nov.. The female condyle is relatively elongated in L. sarsi female (Fig. 3B in Padhye & Rabet, 2017). Remarkably, both L. chalukyae and L. sarsi were reported from rock pools suggesting potential local diversification of these temporary-water specialist organisms in peninsular India. Eulimnadia chaperi (Simon, 1886) was seen coexisting with L. chalukyae sp. nov., Published as part of Padhye, Sameer M., Kulkarni, Mihir R., Pagni, Marco & Rabet, Nicolas, 2023, New leptestherid clam shrimps (Pancrustacea: Branchiopoda: Spinicaudata Leptestheriidae) from peninsular India, pp. 205-220 in Zootaxa 5264 (2) on pages 208-210, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5264.2.3, http://zenodo.org/record/7836432, {"references":["Schwentner, M., Rabet, N, Richter, S., Giribet, G., Padhye, S., Cart, J., Bonillo, C., Rogers, D. C. (2020). Phylogeny and biogeography of Spinicaudata (Crustacea: Branchiopoda). Zoological Studies, 59, 44. https: // doi. org / 10.6620 / ZS. 2020.59 - 44","Padhye, S. M. & Rabet N. (2017) Re-description of two spiny clam shrimps (Crustacea: Branchiopoda: Spinicaudata) of the Indian subcontinent from Daday de Dees's collection at MNHN with new insights on the validity of Eulimnadia compressa (Baird, 1860) and Eulimnadia chaperi (Simon, 1886). Zootaxa, 4294 (3), 349 - 360. https: // doi. org / 10.11646 / zootaxa. 4294.3.5"]}

Leptestheria nobilis (Sars, 1900) (Figs. 8, 9) Leptestheriella nobilis (Padhye et al. 2011) Material studied. Four females and three males from University of Pune Pond (UoP pond) (18˚33′17.62″ N & 73˚49′26.80″ E), Pune collected in June 2010 (collected by SMP). Redescription. Male. Head. Broadly rectangular; eyes moderately sized, ocular tubercle conspicuous, shape of ocellus varying but mostly triangular; rostrum dilated and spatulate; occipital condyle prolonged and projecting posteriorly; L/W ratio ~0.9–1.0 with a pointed apex; sharp stout spine present at the tip of rostrum, thrice as long as wide and arched (Fig.9A) First antenna. Long & bulbous, twice the length of the base of second antenna; about 5–8 lobes, each lobe lined with several sensillae. Second antenna. Bi-ramous with varying number of antennomeres, each antennomere bearing spiniform projections (5–8) anteriorly; spines long, slender with an acute tip; plumose setae on opposite sides (Fig. 8B) Carapace. Length. 6.7 ± 0.7 mm; Height. 3.6 ± 0.40 mm. Oblong, broadly rectangular, dorsal and anterior margin straight, umbone prominence varying between populations (prominent in ‘tableland’ specimens but not in UoP pond), number of growth lines highly varying, 10–20 easily visible, dark brown or pinkish in coloration when alive. Trunk. Consists of 23–25 segments, each with a pair of thoracopods and decreasing in size posteriorly. First two thoracopods modified into claspers (Fig. 8A). Thoracopods I & II. Broad, anterior portion of movable finger (endopod) wide but tapering and strongly arching distally (hooklike), apex of which is lined with numerous scales in both the claspers; large palp (endite 5) two segmented, nearly equal in length in the first clasper, distal segment 1.2 times in length than proximal segment in the second clasper; small palp (endite 4 outgrowth) cylindrical, ~2.5 times as long as the width of its base; palm (endite 4) roughly rectangular and projecting obtusely, a medial triangular protrusion observed at base of palm in both claspers gripping area of palm lined with spines which increase in size posteriorly. Other thoracopods having similar structure with 5 endites, an endopodite with digitiform lobes on the exopodites, decreasing in size posteriorly, the last 5–8 very small (Fig. 8C). Each of the 8–23 segments has a group of short, posteriorly directed setae with acute apices, the number first increases, and then gradually decreases, a maximum of 7–8 setae per segment is observed. Telson. Broadly rectangular in outline, dorsal margin arched; the postero-lateral edge ending with a big spine, nearly half the length of the cercopod, curved, without any serration; dorsal margin lined with 30–40 spines, unequal in size and bearing serrations; telson terminal setae originating before the telson spines (Fig. 9C) Cercopods. Long and stout, about 0.8–0.9 the length of telson, straight, gradually narrowing to an acute slightly upturned apex; tip reaching the postero-lateral projection of the telson; eighty percent of the dorsal margin lined with small similar sized serrated spinules about 30–45 in number (Fig. 9C). Redescription. Female. Similar to male morphology but with some variations. Rostrum triangular in shape, L/ W ratio of ~ 1.0 (Fig. 9B). Ninth and 10th thoracopods modified with extended epipodites for carrying eggs. Telson dorsal margin more gently arched than male and lined with 30–40 spines on the dorsal margin (Fig.9B), cercopod morphology as in male (Fig. 8D) Carapace. Length 6.2 mm ± 0.4 mm; height 4 mm ± 0.3 mm. Egg. Spherical and with no ornamentation (Figs.4C & D in Padhye et al, 2016) Remarks. The morphology of Leptestheria nobilis is highly variable (Simhachalam & Timms, 2012), although some of the characters observed in these populations, such as the shape of the occipital condyle and the structure of the cercopod, coincide with previous and original descriptions (Daday, 1923; Sars, 1900). Leptestheria dumonti Subash Babu & Bijoy Nandan, 2010 and Leptestheria simhadrii (Simhachalam & Timms, 2012) are very similar to L. nobilis in terms of their morphology and thus their species validity needs to be checked using integrative approaches. The studied population could also represent a distinct cryptic species, though, this cannot be confirmed unless topotypic information is obtained. This species was found in assemblages (see Padhye & Dahanukar, 2015 for all combinations of assemblages) or occurred alone., Published as part of Padhye, Sameer M., Kulkarni, Mihir R., Pagni, Marco & Rabet, Nicolas, 2023, New leptestherid clam shrimps (Pancrustacea: Branchiopoda: Spinicaudata Leptestheriidae) from peninsular India, pp. 205-220 in Zootaxa 5264 (2) on pages 213-216, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5264.2.3, http://zenodo.org/record/7836432, {"references":["Sars, G. O. (1900) On some Indian Phyllopoda. Archiv for Mathematik og Naturvidenskab, 22, 3 - 30.","Padhye, S. M., Ghate, H. V. & Pai, K. (2011) New locality records and additional information on habitats of three species of clam shrimps (Crustacea: Branchiopoda) from a region in northern part of Western Ghats (Sahyadris), India. Journal of Threatened Taxa, 3, 1756 - 1763. https: // doi. org / 10.11609 / JoTT. o 2486.1756 - 63","Simhachalam, G. & Timms, B. V. (2012) Two new species of Spinicaudata (Crustacea: Branchiopoda) in south India with a key to Leptestheriella and Eocyzicus. Zootaxa, 3161 (1), 20 - 36. https: // doi. org / 10.11646 / zootaxa. 3161.1.2","Daday de Dees, E. (1923) Monographie systematique des Phyllopodes conchostraces. II. Leptestheriidae. Annales de Sciences Naturelles. Zoologie, 6, 255 - 390.","Padhye, S. M. & Dahanukar, N. (2015) Distribution and assemblages of large branchiopods (Crustacea: Branchiopoda) of Northern Western Ghats, India. Journal of Limnology, 74, 371 - 380. https: // doi. org / 10.4081 / jlimnol. 2015.1115"]}

Spinicaudatan clam shrimp are a widespread and diverse group of branchiopod crustaceans, yet few mitochondrial genomes have been published for this taxonomic group. Here, we present the mitogenome ...

Leptestheria brevirostris Barnard, 1924 (fig. 1) Barnard, 1924: 227, 1929; Brendonck 1999, Brtek 1997, 2002, Garcia & Perreira 2003, Rogers 2020, Emami-Khoyi et al. 2021. Material examined. In addition to the type material below, the following material was examined: Botswana, Central District, 8.14km south of Palapye, 22�� 35��� 55.50��� S; 27�� 7��� 51.78��� E, natural pool in sandstone rock outcrop, on the Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST) campus; 7♂ - 22♀ (18 ovigerous), 3 Dec 2018, M. Tladi; Republic of South Africa, Northern Cape, Augrabies Falls National Park, depressional pools in Moon Rock outcrop, 27 Jan 1993, 1♂, cultured from dry sediment, M. Hamer, University of Natal, AM LEN 156 B. Type material. Namibia, Otjozondjupa Region, 20��30���59.8���S 17��13���59.9���E, Waterberg Tops, ~ 70km E of Otjiwarango. One female with eggs, one juvenile. 1920, R. W.E. Tucker, collector; catalogue number MB-A006738, at the South African Museum, Republic of South Africa. Diagnosis. Leptestheria brevirostris is readily separated from all other African members of the genus by the greatly abbreviated rostrum, which has a length that is roughly 0.6x the length of the head from the ocular tubercle to the base of the occipital condyle (Fig. 1A). In all other African species, the lengths are subequal (Fig. 2A). The male telson is unique among the Spinicaudata in that the posterior telson spiniform projections are directed dorsoposteriorly, and are subparallel to the telson spine rows (Fig. 1F). Male L. brevirostris is also unique in that the first claspers are different in form from the second (Fig. 1B���D). The second clasper (Fig. 1D) possesses a longitudinal, subrectangular lamellar projection on the base of the endopod just lateral of a line between the base of the endopod medial bend and the base of endite IV. Redescription. Male. Form in general typical for the family and genus. Carapace length average 5.9 mm (range, 5.1��� 6.2 mm). Head broadly rectangular (Fig. 1A). Ocular tubercle rounded, projecting not more than 0.25x the width of the eye above the frons. Contiguous compound eyes large, subspherical, ~0.85x ocular tubercle width. Naupliar ocellus subtriangular, lying just posterior to rostrum apex. Rostrum abbreviated, length ~0.6x distance between ocular tubercle and occipital condyle base. Rostral spine slightly arcuate, curving anteriorly, length ~0.7x eye length. Angle between rostrum and frons ~100��. Frontal organ at base of occipital condyle. Occipital condyle conical, elongate; length subequal to distance between ocular tubercle and occipital condyle base. First antennae posterior to rostrum; length ~1.4x second antennal peduncle (Fig. 1A). Distal three fourths bearing a longitudinal row of large rounded lobes; lobes are smooth and inerm, irregularly spaced, more crowded distally. Distalmost lobe on anterior portion of first antenna apex. Second antenna typical for genus (Fig. 1A), 2.0 to 2.5x head length. Second antennal peduncle subcylindrical, subequal in length to head, bearing seven to ten anterior transverse ridges, each margined with spines. First through penultimate ridges with single row of spines. Distalmost transverse ridge with scattered elongate spines. Lateral and posterior peduncle surfaces smooth and inerm. Second antennal anterior flagellum (exopod) with six or nine flagellomeres. Exopod flagellomere I campaniform, widening distally; distal margin ringed with aciculate spines. Exopod flagellomere II campaniform, widening distally; anterior surface with a few short, scattered spines, posterior surface with three recurved long spines; distal margin with three or four anterior spines. Exopod flagellomere III clavate, widening distally; anterior surface distally with four or six scattered aciculate spines; posterior surface with four or six long slightly curved spines and at least one short spine. Remaining exopod flagellomeres clavate with anterior surface distally bearing two to six scattered aciculate spines. Posterior flagellum (endopod) with eight or nine flagellomeres, subequal in length to exopod. Endopod flagellomeres subcylindrical; posterior surface with a subdistal rounded protrusion bearing three to 15 filiform elongate setae. Endopod flagellomeres I and II posterior surface proximal to rounded protrusion with three filiform setae in a longitudinal row. Carapace form typical for the genus, with broadly rounded anterior and posterior margins, and the dorsal and ventral margins relatively straight; length width ratio ~1.8. Umbone present and obvious. Growth lines clear and prominent, narrow, and slightly projecting. Growth line intervals (Fig. 1E) with surface sculpture of raised mesh lines defining shallowly depressed rounded, roughly rectangular to oblong polygons. Carapace posterior third with three to four polygons longitudinally per large interval between growth lines. Adductor muscle scar broad, oblong; length ~2x width. Fourteen to eighteen pairs of thoracopods. Thoracopods I and II modified as claspers (Figs. 1B���D). Thoracopod I (Figs. 1B, C) endite III produced as rigid hamulus (���tumidity��� in Schwentner et al. 2012), length 2x basal width, apically rounded rectangular, and separated by a distance subequal to its length from the base of endite IV. Endite IV (���thumb���) subcylindrical, length subequal to width; apex flat, transverse, covered in dense aciculate denticulae; endite IV outgrowth (���small palp���) projecting distomedially from side of endite IV; length~ 1.5x basal width, apically rounded subrectangular. Endopod (���finger���) proximally conical; distal portion subcylindrical, with distal portion bending basally ~150�� with apex directed to endite IV. Endopod apex rounded, covered apically and at contact region with endite IV with small rounded denticulae. Endite V (���large palp���) cylindrical, slightly shorter in total length than endopod, with apex rounded, slightly expanded, and bearing short scattered filiform setae. Thoracopod II (Fig. 1D) endite III produced as rigid hamulus; length subequal to basal width, apically rounded triangular, and situated at base of endite IV. Endite IV (���thumb���) subcylindrical; length ~2.5x width; apex flat, transverse, covered in dense aciculate denticulae; endite IV outgrowth (���small palp���) projecting distomedially from side of endite IV, length~ 1.5x basal width, apically rounded subrectangular. Endopod (���finger���) proximally conical, with a large subrectangular lamella projecting from subconical base longitudinally, just lateral of a line from the base of the distal endopod cylindrical portion and the base of endite IV. Endopod distal portion subcylindrical, with distal portion arcing 90�� with apex directed to endite IV. Endopod apex subacute, covered apically and at contact region with endite IV with small rounded denticulae. Endite V (���large palp���) as for thoracopod I. Thoracopods II or III through X or XI each bearing dorsally elongated subcylindrical flabellum; posterior limbs lack elongated flabellae. Body segments posterior to eleventh thoracopod pair dorsally with transverse ridge each bearing a transverse row of simple setae, diminishing in length serially in posterior abdominal segments. Telson (Fig. 1G) with posterior surface ridges reflexed anteriorly over telson dorsal portion. Posterior ridges with 26 to 32 spines each; spines simple, aciculate, separated by a distance subequal to spine length. Anterior most spines directed anterodorsally, with next spines directed dorsally, and subsequent spines directed posteriorly. Spine length ~3x spine basal width. Posterior ridges extending to posterior spiniform projections with spines spaced 4���5x spine length; spine length 5���6x basal width, and spine rows only extending to base of distal third of spiniform projection. Telson filaments between fourth, fifth, or sixth spine pairs. Both telson posterior spiniform projections directed dorsoposteriorly, subparallel to telson spine rows. Telson lacking a ventral spiniform projection. Cercopods projecting posteriorly from the ventroposterior surface of the telson. Cercopod length subequal to telson spiniform projection. Cercopod nearly straight with slight arc at the ventral margin, with slightly sinuous dorsal margin. Cercopod medial surface with a longitudinal row of short aciculate spines. Spine length ~2x basal width, spines separated by 2���4x spine length. Cercopod spine row terminates at base of distal tenth. Female. General form as in male with following exceptions: carapace length average 3.4 mm (range, 3.0��� 4.6 mm). Thoracopods X and XI with epipodal flabellae extended as long filaments for carrying eggs. Telson (Fig. 1H) with posterior surface ridges produced dorsally. Posterior ridges with 26 to 32 spines each; spines simple, aciculate, separated by a distance subequal to spine length. Spine pairs directed posteriorly. Spine length ~2���4x spine basal width. Posterior ridges extending to posterior spiniform projections with spines spaced 2���3x spine length, and spine rows only extending to base of distal third of spiniform projection. Telson filaments between second, third, or fourth spine pairs. Telson posterior spiniform projection directed posteriorly. Egg. Spherical, unornamented, ~250��m in diameter. Amplexus. One pair in the lot are in amplexus, with amplexus being single file as in certain Australian endemic Limnadiidae (Rogers et al. 2012). This form of amplexus has not been reported outside the Limnadiidae. Differential diagnosis. Leptestheria brevirostris is readily separated from all congeners by the form of the rostrum, the form of the male telson, the form of the male second clasper, and to a lesser extent the form of the occipital condyle (Fig. 1). The rostrum in L. brevirostris is extremely short in both sexes compared to all other Leptestheria species, with the rostrum length approximately 0.6x the length of the head from the ocular tubercle to the base of the occipital condyle. In all other African species, and most other species globally, the lengths are subequal or longer than the distance between the ocular tubercle and the occipital condyle base. The few exceptions are limited to aberrant or unique individuals within a given population of a species that otherwise has a longer rostrum. Halloy (1979) presents a female L. titicacae Harding, 1940 (as L. tucumanensis), with an abbreviated rostrum and Karande & Inamdar (1960) depict a male specimen of L. nobilis Sars, 1900 (as Leptestheriella gigas) with a short rostrum. Similarly, in Marinček & Petrov���s (1992) paper on Leptestheria dahalacensis (R��ppell, in Straus-D��rckheim, 1837) (presented by them as L. saetosa), the authors depict variation within and between populations and illustrate two specimens with an atypically abbreviated rostrum. However, in all these species the typical form has the rostrum proportionally longer than in L. brevirostris. It is not uncommon for the telsons to be sexually dimorphic in Leptestheria, but nowhere is the dimorphism as pronounced as in this species. The male telson in L. brevirostris is unique among the Spinicaudata in that the posterior telson spiniform projections are directed dorsoposteriorly, and subparallel to the posterior telson surface. No other Leptestheria, let alone any other described spinicaudatan has the telson in this form. Male L. brevirostris is also unique in that the second clasper possesses a longitudinal, subrectangular lamellar projection on the base of the endopod just lateral of a line between the base of the endopod medial bend at the base of endite IV. Leptestheria orientalis Spandl, 1925 from Borneo has a low, rounded projection at the endopod base. Rogers et al. (2016) described L. serracauda, depicting this species with an angular projection at the base of endite IV on the first clasper. The occipital condyle length varied in our material from 0.6x to 1.2x the length of the distance between the ocular tubercle and the occipital condyle base, with an average of 1.0x. In our comparative material of other species, the occipital condyle length ranged from 0.4 to 0.6x, with an average of 0.5x. The mitochondrial genome of L. brevirostris was recently published (Emami-Khoyi et al. 2021), and will be useful in future molecular studies as more leptestheriid taxa are similarly sequenced. Distribution. Namibia in Otjiwarango, Botswana in Central District, and Republic of South Africa in Northern Cape at Augrabies National Park. Surveys between these areas for additional localities should be undertaken. Habitat. Rock pools (gnammas); depressions in sandstone that fill with water from seasonal rainfall. These rock pools are dry most of the year. The typical wet season for all three sites is December through February. The geology of the underlying rock at the locality in Botswana is characterized by medium to coarse size quartzarenites and arkose, with presence of feldspars and lenses of conglomerate to micro conglomerate. The area is characterised by rocky outcrops of the Tswapong Formation (Ermanovics et al., 1978) and holds numerous rock pools. The site in South Africa is a gneiss dome., Published as part of Rogers, D. Christopher, Tladi, Murphy, Wasserman, Ryan J. & Meyer-Milne, Elizabeth, 2021, Review of the southern African Leptestheriidae (Branchiopoda: Spinicaudata) I: redescription of Leptestheria brevirostris Barnard, 1924 with comments on diagnostic characters, pp. 258-266 in Zootaxa 4974 (2) on pages 260-264, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4974.2.2, http://zenodo.org/record/4775528, {"references":["Barnard, K. H. (1924) Contributions to a knowledge of the fauna of southwest Africa, II. Crustacea Entomostraca, Phyllopoda. Annals of the South African Museum, 20, 213 - 228.","Barnard, K. H. (1929) Contributions to the crustacean fauna of South Africa. Vol. 10. Revision of Branchiopoda. Annals of the South African Museum, 29, 189 - 272.","Brendonck, L. (1999) Conchostraca. In: Day, J. A., Stewart, B. A., de Moor, I. J. & Louw, A. E. (Eds.), Guides to the Freshwater Invertebrates of Southern Africa. Crustacea I: Notostraca, Anostraca, Conchostraca, and Cladocera. Water Research Commission Report TT 121 / 00. Water Research Commission, Pretoria, pp. 1 - 126.","Brtek, J. (1997) Checklist of the valid and invalid names of the \" large branchiopods \" (Anostraca, Notostraca, Spinicaudata and Laevicaudata), with a survey of the taxonomy of all Branchiopoda. Zborik Sloven Narod Muz, 43, 3 - 66.","Brtek, J. (2002) Taxonomical survey of the Anostraca, Notostraca, Cyclestherida, Spinicaudata and Laevicaudata. Zborik Sloven Narod Muz, 48, 49 - 59.","Rogers, D. C. (2020) Spinicaudata catalogus (Crustacea: Branchiopoda). Zoological Studies, 59, 45. https: // doi. org / 10.6620 / ZS. 2020.59 - 45","Emami-Khoyi, A., Tladi, M., Dalu, T., Teske, P. R., van Vuuren, J., Rogers, D. C., Nyamukondiwa, C. & Wasserman, R. (2021) The complete mitogenome of Leptestheria brevirostris Barnard, 1924, a rock pool clam shrimp (Branchiopoda: Spinicaudata) from Central District, Botswana. Mitochondrial DNA, Part B, 6, 608 - 610. https: // doi. org / 10.1080 / 23802359.2021.1875898","Schwentner, M., Timms, B. V. & Richter, S. (2012) Description of four new species of Limnadopsis from Australia (Crustacea: Branchiopoda: Spinicaudata). Zootaxa, 3315 (1), 42 - 64. https: // doi. org / 10.11646 / zootaxa. 3315.1.2","Rogers, D. C., Rabet, N. & Weeks, S. C. (2012) A revision of the extant genera of the clam shrimp family Limnadiidae. Journal of Crustacean Biology, 32, 827 - 842. https: // doi. org / 10.1163 / 193724012 X 637212","Halloy, S. (1979) Notas biologicas sobre un nuevo Conchostraca (Crustacea: Branchiopoda) de Gran Altura. Acta Zoologica Lilloana, 35, 119 - 135.","Harding, J. P. (1940) 7. Crustacea: Anostraca and Conchostraca. British Museum (Natural History) Expedition to South-West Arabia, 1937 - 8, 153 - 56.","Karande, A. A. & Inamdar, N. B. (1960) A new species of the genus Leptestheriella from India. Indian Annual Magazine of Natural History, Series 13, 2 (17), 305 - 308. https: // doi. org / 10.1080 / 00222935908650869","Sars, G. O. (1900) On some Indian Phyllopoda. Archiv for Mathematik og Naturvidenskab, 22, 3 - 30, IV pls.","Marincek, M. & Petrov, B. (1992) On a new species of the genus Leptestheria G. O. Sars (Conchostraca, Crustacea). Bulletin of the Natural History Museum in Belgrade, B 47, 107 - 121.","Spandl, H. (1925) Entomostraken von Borneo. Annalen des Naturhistorischen Museums in Wien, 38, 89 - 95.","Rogers D. C., Dadseepai, P. & Sanoamuang, L. (2016) The spinicaudatan clam shrimps (Branchiopoda: Diplostraca) of Thailand. Journal of Crustacean Biology, 36, 567 - 575. https: // doi. org / 10.1163 / 1937240 X- 00002441","Ermanovics, I. F., Key, R. M. & Jones, M. T. (1978) The Palapye Group, central eastern Botswana. Transactions of the Geological Society of South Africa, 81, 61 - 73"]}

We present the first records of Leptestheria brevirostris since its discovery in Namibia by Barnard in 1924. Our records come from Botswana and South Africa, and present significant range extensions. We redescribe L. brevirostris according to modern standards and present the first description of the male. We also discovered that L. brevirostris is likely a rock pool specialist, specific to sandstone and gneiss outcrops; this is the first record of a rock pool specialist clam shrimp from Africa and the second rock pool specialist described for Leptestheriidae. Finally, we depict and discuss the validity and usefulness of diagnostic characters for Leptestheria species in southern Africa, especially the usefulness of carapace interval ornamentation.

Large branchiopods has been distributed in temporary waters around the world, but the knowledge about these organisms in Colombia is poorly known, especially leptesteriids, we report a new record of the Clam Shrimp Leptestheria venezuelica Daday, 1923 from the north of Colombia., Los grandes branquiopodos se encuentran distribuidos en aguas temporales de todo el mundo, pero el conocimiento de estos en Colombia es poco sobre todo de los leptesteridos, en este trabajo presentamos un nuevo reporte del camaron almeja Leptestheria venezuelica Daday, 1923 para el norte de Colombia.

Spinicaudatan clam shrimps have been reported from Thailand and Cambodia, but are poorly known for Southeast Asia. We conducted widespread, intensive surveys for spinicaudatan clam shrimps across Thailand. We report five species and present diagnoses for each, with remarks on the Asian taxa. Two species represent new records and range extensions, and two are described as new: Eulimnadia khoratensis n. sp., distinguished from congeners by egg morphology, and Leptestheria serracauda n. sp. by the form of the telson. This is the first record of Leptestheriidae from Southeast Asia. We also present new records and comments for Eulimnadia indocylindrova Durga Prasad and Simhachalam, 2004, E. compressa (Baird, 1860), and Cyzicus pilosus Rogers et al., 2013.

Leptestheria sarsi (Daday, 1923) (Fig. 3 & 4) Leptestheriella sarsi Daday, 1923 Leptestheria sarsi Btrek, 1997; Rogers & Padhye, 2015 Material examined. MNHN-IU-2007-740 (= MNHN-Bp 457): Three males and two females Locality. Gingi, Hindostan (Gingee, Tamil Nadu, India) Description. Male. Head. Occipital condyle slightly produced, broader than long; occipital notch not distinct; ocular tubercle prominent; compound eyes about 0.3 times the size of ocular tubercle; ocellus not clearly seen; fornix prominent arising from dorsal angle of rostrum and overreaching the base of the compound eye; rostrum broad and spatulate, rostral spine not visible in the studied specimens, (Fig. 3 A). First antenna long, more than thrice the length of the base of second antenna; about 12���13 lobes present on the dorsal margin, each lobe lined with sensillae (Fig. 4 C). Second antenna peduncle cylindrical, lined with long transverse setae; exopod with 13 and endopod with 14 flagellomeres, each flagellomere bearing about 3���12 long posteriorly projecting spines with acute apices and plumose setae (5) on opposite sides (Fig. 4 F). Carapace oblong, anteriorly broad and tapering posteriorly; dorsal margin straight; ventral margin gently curved; umbone prominent; 20 or more distinct raised carapace growth lines and small rounded markings all over the shell. Reddish brown in coloration (Fig.4 A). Twenty six pairs of thoracopods, first and second thoracopod modified as claspers. Clasper large; movable finger (endopod) broad at base, anteriorly narrowing and arched distally; tip distally with many small scales; large palp (endite V) two segmented in both claspers, both segments almost equal in length in the first clasper; distal palpomere (endite V outgrowth) about 0.6 times the proximal segment in second clasper; small palp (endite IV outgrowth) in both claspers cylindrical in shape, thrice as long as broad, directed slightly posteriorly in both claspers, their tips with small and slender setae; palm (endite IV) broadly rectangular, longer than broad; distinct medial broadly triangular protrusion at base of palm seen in both claspers; gripping area of the palm lined with spines increasing in size posteriorly, larger spines with acute apices (Fig. 4 D & E). Other thoracopods having similar structure as per genus; digitiform lobes on the exopodites; the last 5���8 pairs very small. Abdomen. Segments 10/12���26 dorsally bear a group of long and slender posteriorly directed setae with acute apices, maximum of 5���8 setae seen per segment (Fig. 3 D). Telson rectangular, dorsal margin slightly arched, dorso-posterior tip slightly raised (one specimen); posterolateral ridge lined with 30���40 small spines of varying length, the spines on the dorso-posterior apex slightly recurved, ridge ending with a prominent spiniform projection, 0.4 times the length of the cercopods; its dorsal margin lined with fine serrated spines till about 2/3rd the length (Fig. 3 C). Cercopods long, slightly arched, as long as dorsal margin of telson and reaching its spiniform projection; tips dorsally upturned (Fig. 3 A); 3/4th of the dorsal margin lined with about 30���40 small spinulae; the remaining distal 1/4th lined with 6���8 long serrated spines medio-laterally, spines increasing in size distally, their length about 0.5���0.7 of the cercopod width at the thickest point (Fig. 4 B). Female. Carapace slightly smaller than male; rostrum triangular, rostral spine broken; occipital condyle as in male (Fig. 3 B); thoracopods 9 and 10 with long epipodites for carrying eggs; dorsal edge of telson less convex than male; spines on the dorsal margin of telson slightly smaller than in male, cercopods as in male (Fig.3 D). Size. Male length: 10.8, 11.2 and 12.1 mm; height: 5, 5.2 and 5.5 mm respectively. Female length 9.2 & 10.2 mm; height: 4.6 & 5.2 mm respectively, Published as part of Padhye, Sameer M. & Rabet, Nicolas, 2017, Re-description of two spiny clam shrimps (Crustacea: Branchiopoda: Spinicaudata) of the Indian subcontinent from Daday de Dees's collection at MNHN with new insights on the validity of Eulimnadia compressa (Baird, 1860) and Eulimnadia chaperi (Simon, 1886), pp. 349-360 in Zootaxa 4294 (3) on pages 353-355, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4294.3.5, http://zenodo.org/record/832692, {"references":["Rogers, D. & Padhye, S. (2015) Review of the large branchiopod crustacean fauna of the Indian Subcontinent (Anostraca, Notostraca, Laevicaudata, Spinicaudata, Cyclestherida). Journal of Crustacean Biology, 35, 392 - 406. https: // doi. org / 10.1163 / 1937240 X- 00002327"]}

Two new clam shrimp species belonging to the genera Eulimnadia Packard, 1874 and Leptestheria Sars 1898 from Kerala, India are described. Spinicaudatan clam shrimp are among the least studied groups in India, with only 30 species reported. Eulimnadia azisi sp. nov. was collected from rain fed, temporary, rocky depressions at Vettilapara, in Western Ghats, Kerala. No males were observed and the population may be hermaphroditic. Leptestheria dumonti sp. nov. was collected from the paddy fields at Parapukara, Kerala. Altogether two species of Leptestheria and nine species of Eulimnadia have been reported from India, and this is the first report of the genus Leptestheria from Kerala.

Leptestheria nobilis (Sars, 1900) Size: 115���135 ��m (n= 5). Eggs spherical and smooth without any ornamentation. Some of the eggs observed within the brood pouch with a distinct invagination on one end. Surface without discernible pores (Fig. 4 C & D)., Published as part of Padhye, Sameer, Timms, Brian & Ghate, Hemant V., 2016, Large branchiopod (Crustacea: Branchiopoda) egg morphology of Western Ghats, Maharashtra, India, pp. 246-254 in Zootaxa 4079 (2) on page 251, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4079.2.6, http://zenodo.org/record/1050663

Leptestheria gurneyi sp. nov. (Figs. 1���5) Etymology. The species is named after Robert Gurney who contributed significantly to the Branchiopoda taxonomy of India during early 1900 s. Type locality. A small and shallow rock pool (depth of about 30 cm) on Devi Hasol lateritic plateau (16.7393 N, 17.4324 E), observed during the monsoon season (June���September). The pool had a fine layer of mud but had no aquatic vegetation at the time of collection. No other large branchiopods were observed but few aquatic bugs and beetles were seen. Type material. Holotype. One male (in 4 % formalin + glycerin) deposited at the Western Regional station of Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), Pune (Registration number: ZSI, WRC-C. 1520). Other material. Two males, three females from the type locality in personal collection of SMP. Collector: Ms. Shruti Paripatyadar Diagnosis: Occipital condyle conical, shorter in male than female. Occipital notch at least twice as wide in female as compared to male. Telson with three distinct size and shape classes of spines with largest at least three times longer than the shortest, 2���6 small spines interspersed in between medium spines, cercopods straight in both sexes, about 0.8 times the dorsal margin of telson in length. Description. Male. Head. Occipital condyle length about 0.7 times basal breadth, blunt apex directed posteriorly, occipital notch shallow but wide ocular tubercle convex, compound eyes large, almost filling tubercle space, ocellus roughly cylindrical in shape and located at rostral base, rostrum broad, spatulate, fornix prominent, arising from rostrum dorsal angle, (Fig. 3 C; Fig. 5 A). Rostrum with single sharp spine, three times longer than basal width. First antenna. Long, more than twice length of second antenna peduncle, about 10���12 anterior lobes, each lobe margined with several sensillae (Fig. 3 F). Second antenna. Peduncle setose; exopod and endopod with 11 flagellomeres (Fig. 3 E); each flagellomere dorsally with 4���6 long distally directed spines and ventral surface with plumose setae (Fig. 5 C). Carapace. 6.92 �� 0.71 mm length and 3.94 �� 0.37 mm height. Oblong ovate in shape, broader anteriorly and tapering posteriorly, dorsal margin straight, ventral margin gently curved, umbone prominent; carapace with 10���15 distinct growth lines (Fig. 2 A & B); growth lines with sparse setae separated by nearly their length (Fig. 2 D); interval sculpturing of distinct longitudinal carinae perpendicular to the growth lines in the younger intervals and diminishing distally (Fig. 2 C); microsculpturing not observed under SEM (Fig. 4 E). Thoracopods. 22���24 pairs. Clasper movable finger (endopod) broad basally, tapering and hooked distally; apex with many small scales; large palp (endite V) arcuate, of two palpomeres, palpomere length subequal in both claspers; distal palpomere (endite V outgrowth) slightly elongated, apex with fine setae; small palp (endite IV outgrowth) cylindrical, nearly twice as long as broad, directed anteriorly or slightly posteriorly, with apex covered with fine setae; palm (endite IV) broadly rectangular, projecting slightly obtusely, gripping area covered with small roughly conical, blunt tipped spines, increasing in size posteriorly (Fig. 4 B); gripping area as long as broad in first clasper, slightly longer than broad in second clasper; clasper 1 endite III roughly triangular, length half the width at base, apex acute; clasper 2 endite III smaller, triangular with blunt apex (Fig. 4 A & C). Other thoracopods structure as per genus, decreasing in size posteriorly; last 5���8 very small, (Fig. 3 A & B). Abdomen. Segments 10���24 dorsal margin each bearing a transverse row of 5���8 aciculate, posteriorly directed setae (Fig. 4 G). Telson. Dorsal margin slightly arched, posteriolateral ridges with 25���30 spines in three size and shape classes: (type A), long triangular spines length two to three times longer than basal width, situated just proximal to posteriolateral spiniform projection; (type B), triangular spines length subequal to basal width, anterior most spines slightly recurved, situated along telson ridge, roughly half the size of type A spines; (type C), small triangular spines similar to type B spines in shape, roughly half the size or smaller of the type B spines, situated along the telson ridges; spiniform projection curved dorsally, 0.4 times length of cercopod (Figs. 4 D & F); caudal filaments originating between the 1 st and 2 nd spines of telson ridges. Cercopod. Long, straight, subequal in length to telson dorsal margin; apex bent dorsally, not reaching the posteriolateral projection of telson; dorsal margin medial 80 % with longitudinal row of small spinulae, ~ 30���45 in number (Fig. 4 D; Fig. 5 D). Female. Carapace 6.74 mm 0.54 mm length and 3.92 mm 0.31 mm breadth. Slightly smaller than male. Rostrum broadly triangular. Occipital condyle elongate conical. Occipital notch wider than in male (Fig. 3 D). Thoracopods 9 and 10 with long epipodites for carrying eggs (Fig. 3 B), 2���6 type C spines present between two type B spines (Fig. 3 G). Egg. As per the genus, smooth and spherical. Size: ~ 200 ��m. Differential diagnosis. This species differs from all other described Indian Leptestheria (sensu Rogers & Padhye, 2015) by having three classes of spines by size and shape on the telson posteriolateral ridges. The other species (such as L. nobilis (Sars, 1900) and L. sarsi Daday, 1923) have spines of similar sizes or the spines are randomly placed and of unequal length. Leptestheria gurneyi sp. nov. most closely resembles the recently described L. kunmingensis Shu et al., 2015 from China, but differs in that L. kunmingensis has two size classes of spines instead of three. The cercopod of L. gurneyi sp. nov. is also straight in both sexes and has similar sized dentition on its dorsal margin, whereas in L. kunmingensis the spinulae bear smaller spinules; the male cercopod has a longitudinal sulcus, and the female cercopod is arcuate. Leptestheria gurneyi sp. nov. lacks the endopodal spine on clasper 1 that is present in L. kunmingensis. Distinct sexual dimorphism in the occipital condyle structure is also a unique character not observed and/or reported from other Indian species (Sars, 1900; Daday, 1923; Simhachalam & Timms, 2012; Padhye et al. 2015; Shu et al. 2015) (Table 1) Distribution. Currently known only from its type locality., Published as part of Padhye, Sameer & Ghate, Hemant V., 2016, A new species of Leptestheria (Crustacea: Branchiopoda: Spinicaudata) from Western Maharashtra, India, pp. 345-354 in Zootaxa 4127 (2) on pages 346-351, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4127.2.6, http://zenodo.org/record/256114, {"references":["Rogers, D. & Padhye, S. (2015) Review of the large branchiopod crustacean fauna of the Indian Subcontinent (Anostraca, Notostraca, Laevicaudata, Spinicaudata, Cyclestherida). Journal of Crustacean Biology, 35, 392 - 406.","Sars, G. O. (1900) On some Indian Phyllopoda. Archiv for Mathematik og Naturvidenskab, 22, 3 - 30.","Daday, E. (1923) Monographie systematique des Phyllopodes Conchostraces. Deuxieme Partie, Annales des Sciences naturelles, Zoologie, 10 e Serie, 10, 331 - 390.","Shu, S., Rogers, D. C., Chen S. & Yang, J. (2015) Two new species of Clam Shrimp (Branchiopoda: Spinicaudata) from Yunnan province, China. Journal of Crustacean Biology, 35 (3), 454 - 460.","Simhachalam, G. & Timms, B. V. (2012) Two new species of Spinicaudata (Crustacea: Branchiopoda) in south India with a key to Leptestheriella and Eocyzicus. Zootaxa, 3161, 20 - 36."]}

During 2004 conchostracans Imnadia and Leptestheria were recorded near the Serbian-Bulgarian border, in the foothills of the Western Stara Planina Mountains. Leptestheria occurred in relatively large density and was presented by adults of both sexes. Imnadia was identified only by resting eggs separated from the pond sediment. This is the first report of genus Imnadia in the Balkans, and also a first record of the second genus in the limnological area of the "Eastern Balkans".

The fourth thoracic appendage of an adult female Nebalia sp. (class Malacostraca, order Leptostraca) is compared with that of an adult female Leptestheria sp. (class Branchiopoda, order Spinicaudata). Although these limbs are "phyllopodous" (flattened, leaflike) in both orders, they differ markedly in the size and arrangement of endites, type and number of setae, and function. Setal types found on the fourth thoracopod of Nebalia sp. are variations of a basic plumose or plumodentate seta, and the diversity of setal types is low. None of the setae is annulate, a distinction in setal formation. In contrast, on the fourth thoracopod of Leptestheria sp. there is a wide variety of setal types and stout spines, some of which have been reported from other "conchostracans" (orders Spinicaudata and Laevicaudata) but not from the thoracopods of any leptostracan. Nearly all of the setae are annulate. Thus, the single character (phyllopodous thoracic appendages) supposedly linking leptostracans and branchiopods in some classificatory schemes (e.g., the class Phyllopoda sensu Schram) has clearly arisen independently in these two taxa and in several other crustacean groups, and cannot be used as an indicator of phylogenetic affinity. The rejection of the class Phyllopoda as defined by Schram is supported, as are arguments for retention of leptostracans within the Malacostraca. The use of Phyllopoda as a taxonomic name, regardless of which crustacean groups are considered to compose the taxon, is discouraged in light of the rather convoluted history and inconsistent application of this term.

We describe a new species of Leptestheria from a rock pool in the Western Ghats of Maharashtra, India. This species is distinguished from all other Indian congeners by its distinct telson characters and occipital condyle. We also present a comparative table of useful morphological characters of all described Indian Leptestheria species.

Leptestheria dumonti sp. nov. (Figs. 1–3) Etymology. The species is named in honour of Prof. Dr. H. J. Dumont, the former Director, Institute of Animal Ecology, University of Ghent, Belgium, for his contributions to limnology and taxonomy of freshwater zooplankton. Type locality. An inundated paddy field at Parapukara, Kerala, 10 ° 23 ′ N, 76 ° 15 ′ E, part of Vembanad- Kol wetland ecosystem, a Ramsar site. Samples collected by K. K. Subhash Babu on 27 July 2007. 12 males and 6 females. Holotype. Male fixed in 4 % formalin (disarticulated: reg. no, MBM/Ch/ 22 /09). Paratypes, 2 females with eggs and 2 males fixed in 4 % formalin were deposited in the Zoological Survey of India, Western Ghats station, Calicut, Kerala- State, India. Allotype. Female fixed in 4 % formalin (disarticulated; reg. no. MBM/Ch/ 23 /09). Diagnosis. Carapace oblong with straight dorsal hinge line. In adults, carapace pigmented on dorsal area and transparent in lower margin; growth lines are numerous usually 20–23 in mature adults. Each growth line fringed with small setae. Occipital notch is deep with long backwardly directed pointed occipital crest. Second antenna having 12–14 antennomers. Sixth endite of the male clasper curved and sickle shaped with a nail like protuberance at its tip. In male, palp of the third non clasping thoracopod is cylindrical and spinulated. Eggs are spherical without any ornamentation. Description. Male. Length 6.02 mm; height 3.59 mm Carapace bivalved, oblong with straight dorsal hinge line forming an obtuse angle at the junction with posterior margin (Fig. 1 B). Lower margin transparent; central and dorsal side pigmented. Umbone small but prominent and projecting beyond the hinge line. 21 growth lines, ornamented with faint reticulations. Ventral margin convex and fringed with small setae. Growth lines ornamented with small setae. Maximum width in the middle. Rostrum spatulate bearing a terminal spine (Fig. 1 D, 3 F). Eye larger than ocellus and eye capsule protruded above the dorsal alignment of the head. Occipital notch deep and crest prominent, sharp and directed posteriorly. First antenna immovable with 8 lobes and extending to the second antenna seventh antennomere (Fig. 1 F), each lobe with tufts of sensory setae. FIGURE 1. Leptestheria dumonti sp. nov. (A–O) A. Carapace growth lines (female), B. Carapace (male), C. Head of female (lateral view), D. Head of male (lateral view), E. Second antenna (female), F. First antenna of male, G. First thoracopod with clasper (lateral view), H. Second thoracopod with clasper (lateral view), I. Terminal portion of the 5 th endite (enlarged), J. Third thoracopod (male), K. 10 th thoracopod with flabellum, L. First thoracopod (female), M. Telson (female), N, Telson (male), O. Eggs. Second antenna biramous, with 12 antennomeres, each antennomere bearing spiniform projections and plumose setae on opposite sides. Trunk slightly arched with 20 pairs of thoracopods. First two pairs of thoracopods similar in structure and modified into claspers (Fig. 1 G–H, 3 F) but the second pair slightly larger than first. Clasper endite 4 broad with elongated palp. Endite 5 arcuate, apically acute (Fig. 1 I, 3 G). Endite 6 sickle shaped with a terminal protuberances (Fig. 1 G,I). Palp elongate, club shaped; distal portion fringed with fine setae. Third thoracopod endite 5 palp elongated, about twice the length of endite 6 (Fig. 1 J). Each body segment with dorsal slender, rigid, long setae. Telson rectangular, with 18 spines on its dorsal margin (Fig. 1 N, 3 C), unequal in shape and serrated (visible only under higher magnification) (Fig. 3 D). Telsonic spines smaller anteriorly, becoming larger and sharper posteriorly (Fig. 3 I). Telson terminal setae originating from the anterodorsal corner of the telson in lateral view. Cercopod robust, curved and armed with 24 non serrated spines on its concave margin (Fig. 3 E). Female. Length 6.57 mm; height 4.0 mm. Carapace oblong with straight dorsal hinge line forming an obtuse angle at posterodorsal margin (Fig. 1 A). Lower ventral margin transparent; mid and dorsal areas pigmented. 20 growth lines. Umbone small, prominent and situated near to anterodorsal margin of carapace (Fig. 3 A). Ventral margin convex and fringed with small setae. Growth lines fringed with small setae (visible under higher magnification). Surface ornamented with faint reticulations. Maximum width in the middle. Rostrum pointed with a terminal spine (Fig. 1 C, 3 H). Eye larger than ocellus; eye capsule protruded above the dorsal alignment of the head. Occipital notch strongly produced, acute and directed posteriorly. First antenna immovable with 9 lobes, each lobe fringed with tufts of sensillae. First antenna extending to second antenna third antennomere. Second antenna biramous, each ramus having 14 antennomeres, each antennomere bearing spines on the side opposite that of the brush-like setae (Fig. 1 E). Thoracopods. Twenty four pairs, reducing in size posteriorly. First thoracopod foliaceous, fringed with plumose setae and bearing a palp on its 5 th endite. (Fig 1 L). 10 th and 11 th thoracopods with modified exopod to carry eggs; flabellum cylindrical (Fig. 1 K). Eggs spherical, without ornamentation (Fig. I O). Egg size 100 Μm, with clutch size of 300–350 Μm. Body. Dorsal margin almost straight having large head and telson (Fig. 3 B). Dorsal portion of the 12 th body segment armed with a transverse ridge, fringed with strong setae. Dorsally, body segments bear stiff setae, longer on anterior segments and stouter on posterior segments. Telson somewhat rectangular in lateral view, with 22 unequal serrated spines on the dorsal margins (Fig. 1 M– 3 I). Serrations more prominent on posterior spines (Fig. 3 I). Cercopod robust, with 28 nonserrated spinules linearly arranged on its concave margin (Fig. 3 J). Terminal telsonic setae originating from the anterodorsal corner of the telson in lateral view. Ecology. Leptestheria dumonti sp. nov. was collected from an inundated paddy field just few weeks after the monsoon season. The water was turbid and brownish in colour which maybe due to the decaying vegetation. Copepods, Allodiaptomus mirabilipes Kiefer, 1936 (Calanoida), Mesocyclops sp. (Cyclopoida) and large number of colonial rotifers were observed. Cladocerans including, Moina micrura Kurz, 1874, Macrothrix triserialis (Brady, 1886) and Simocephalus serrulatus (Koch, 1841) co-occurred with L. dumonti sp. nov. Remarks. So far, only two species of Leptestheria have been reported from India (Leptestheria jaisalmerensis Tiwari, 1962 and Leptestheria longispinosa Nayar, 1965). Leptestheria dumonti sp. nov. somewhat similar to the L. jaisalmerensis, reported by Tiwari from Rajasthan in 1962. The number of the growth lines is almost same in both species but they differ in the shape of rostral spine, shape of the supraorbital margin, nature of the occipital crest and ornamentation of the carapace. In L longispinosa the dorsal margin of the head is almost straight and the occipital crest is reduced. In L. dumonti sp. nov. the rostral spine is ¼ the length of the rostrum and is directed to upward. In L. jaisalmerensis the carapace ornamentation is polygonal and unique, whereas in L. dumonti sp. nov. the carapace is ornamented with very faint reticulations, and also each growth line is fringed with unequal small setae. L. dumonti sp. nov. differs from L. longispinosa, by its higher number of growth lines on the carapace; supraorbital margin is not straight and the eye capsule protruded beyond the dorsal alignment of the head; structure and shape of the endite 6 th of the male second thoracopod. Moreover, in L. longispinosa, dorsal margin of the telson is armed with 55–60 spines where as in L. dumonti sp. nov. the spines are few, numbering only 18–20. In both cases the telsonic spines are serrated. Cercopod has 18–21 non serrated spines in L. dumonti sp. nov. whereas in L. longispinosa the cercopod armed with 20 serrated spines. Based on the above comparative account of the features used for identifying the species of the family Leptestheriidae, the present species can be distinguished as a new species by the following characters: (1) smooth nature of the egg shell; (2) faint reticulations on the carapace (3) terminal protrusion on the 6 th endite of first male thoracopod; (4) backwardly directed long, pointed occipital crest (occipital condyle); (5) deep occipital notch (6) eye capsule protruded above the dorsal alignment of the head, and (7) cylindrical and spiniform papillae on the 5 th endite of the first thoracopod in female.

Key to the Indian species of Leptestheria Sars 1 Carapace with ornamentations and lower margin of the carapace fringed with setae with equal length..................... 2 - Carapace without ornamentations and the lower margin of the carapace fringed with unequal setae....................................................................................................................................................................... L. longispinosa Nayar 1965 2 Occipital angle little produced; rostral spine small and carapace with out pigmentation...................................................................................................................................................................................... L. jaisalmerensis Tiwari 1962 - Occipital angle considerably produced; rostral spine elongated and carapace pigmented in mid dorsal area............... ......................................................................................................................................................... L. dumonti sp. nov., Published as part of Babu, K Subhash & Nandan, Bijoy, 2010, Two new clam shrimp species (Crustacea: Branchiopoda: Spinicaudata) from Kerala, India, pp. 55-64 in Zootaxa 2713 on page 59, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.199647, {"references":["Nayar, C. K. G. (1965) Three new species of Conchostraca (Crustacea: Branchiopoda) from Rajasthan. Bulletin of the Systematic Zoology, 1 (1), 20 - 24.","Tiwari, K. K. (1962) New species of Conchostraca. Proceedings of the All India congress. Zoology, pt. 2, 180 - 190."]}

Leptestheria venezuelica Daday, 1923 (Fig. 1) Material Examined.��� MBUCV XI�� 3714, 2 males, 7 females; Venezuela, Anzo��tegui State, Mapire town (7 �� 15 ���N, 65 �� 16 ���), near IVIC Station, collected by E. Moreno, 15 Apr 1993. MBUCV XI�� 3747, 11 males, 2 females; Venezuela, Apure State, Las Peon��as (7 �� 25 ���N, 66 �� 40 ���W), collected by E. Cabezas, 13 Mar 1981. MBUCV XI�� 3749, 1 male, 5 females; Venezuela, Falc��n State, Buena Vista town (11 �� 48 ���, 69 �� 52 ���W), collected by G. Pereira, 9 May 1981. MBUCV XI�� 3752, 9 males, 21 females; Venezuela, Lara State, road from El Empedrado to Carora (10 ��00N, 70 ��04���W), collected by G. Pereira, 11 Oct 1980. Measurements.���Male carapace 7.84��17.92 mm length, 4.64��10.24 mm height (n= 29). Female carapace 11.20��15.52 mm length, 6.40��8.48 mm height (n= 23). Description.���Carapace with umbo on anterior margin (Fig. 1 A, B). Female carapace with posterior dorsal margin arched (Fig. 1 B). Males slightly larger and carapace more rectangular than females. Area between growth lines minutely granulated, ventral margin of carapace with minute spines and setae (Fig. 1 B). Head with well��developed ventrally arched occipital spine (Fig. 1 C, D). Dorsal margin of the head with shallow concavity above the eye. Ocellus at base of rostrum, variable in shape. Male rostrum roundly spatuliform in lateral view (Fig. 1 C). Female rostrum angularly shaped (Fig. 1 D). In both sexes, wide fornices meet at rostral apex, where a sharp spine is located. Male first antenna indistinctly segmented, with 11��13 lobes bearing sensory setae (Fig. 1 C). Female first antenna with 10��12 lobes (Fig. 1 C, D). Male second antenna with peduncle indistinctly segmented, with 12 segments on upper flagellum and 15 segments on lower flagellum, each segment bearing 3��5 dorsal spines. All segments with ventral long setae (Fig. 1 E). Female second antenna with 12 segments on upper flagellum and 14 segments on lower flagellum, each segment with 1��7 dorsal spines and ventral long setae (Fig. 1 F). Male first thoracopod stout, with strong indentation at base of immovable finger. Movable finger strongly curved with apex acute (Fig. 1 G). Distal end bearing very short blunt spines on ventral margin. Immovable finger stout, with strong thick acute spines on clasping border. Endite 4 stout (see Martin 1992, for terminology), with simple terminal setae. Endite 5 (palp) stout, with two segments, bearing setae only on distal segment. Total length of palp slightly exceeding half length of movable finger. Endite 1 strongly curved, with acute tip bearing two serrate terminal spines. Endites 2 and 3 lobulate, with pedunculate setae. Female first thoracopod with setose lobe on anterior side (Fig. 1 H). Female ninth and tenth thoracopod with epipods swollen and cylindrical in shape (female egg mass supporting appendages) (Fig. 1 I, J). Male telson with two rows of 29��34 sharp spines, being larger and thin those terminal spines. Telson filaments delicate, plumose on distal end, arising behind first telsonal spine (Fig. 1 K). Female telson similar to male in shape and spination (Fig. 1 L). Range.���This species was described by Daday (1923) based on samples from the Venezuelan lowlands ���Llanos��� (Guanaparo River which we believe is a transcription error, with Capanaparo River, in Apure State, the true locality). Recently Belk et al. 2002, collected this species in Aruba Island in the Caribbean. With the additional localities presented by us, the known distribution of this species results less disjunctive. Remarks.���This species is easily distinguished from other Venezuelan Leptestheria by the series of long thin spines on the distal end of the telson. Daday (1923) had no males in his original description, but female characters agree quite well with his description and drawings. This species was found in large pools cohabiting with the fairy shrimp Dendrocephalus geayi Daday, 1908 (Anostraca: Thamnocephalidae). Leptestheria venezuelica occurs in the marginal vegetation, while D. geayi is found more often in the center of the pool., Published as part of Garcia, Jose Vicente & Pereira, Guido, 2003, A review of the clam shrimp family Leptestheriidae (Crustacea: Branchiopoda: Spinicaudata) from Venezuela, with descriptions of two new species, pp. 1-12 in Zootaxa 208 on pages 2-6, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.156375, {"references":["Daday, E. (1923) Monographie systematique des Phyllopodes Conchostraces. Deuxieme Partie, Annales des Sciences naturelles, Zoologie, 10 e serie, 10, 331 - 390.","Martin, J. W. (1992) Branchiopoda. In: Harrison, F. W., & Humes, A. G. (Eds.) Microscopic Anatomy of Invertebrates. Volume 9: Crustacea. Wiley-Liss, New York, NY, pp. 25 - 224.","Belk, D., Schug, B. M. & Reading, K. A. L. (2002) Survey of large branchiopods on Aruba and observations on taxonomic characters in Leptestheria (Spinicaudata). Hydrobiologia, 486, 115 - 118."]}

Leptestheria cristata new species (Fig. 2) Material Examined.��� Holotype.��� MBUCV XI�� 4885, 1 male; Venezuela, Lara State, road from Barquisimeto to Carora (10 �� 9 ���N, 69 �� 35 ���), collected by G. Pereira, 11 Oct 1980. Paratypes.��� MBUCV XI�� 3744, 12 males, 18 females; Venezuela, Lara State, road from Barquisimeto to Carora (10 �� 9 ���N, 69 �� 35 ���), collected by G. Pereira, 11 Oct 1980. MBUCV XI�� 3740, 47 males, 65 females; Venezuela, Gu��rico State, road from Calabozo to Paso Caballo (8 �� 35 ���N, 67 �� 10 ���W), collected by G. Pereira, 1 Jun 1981. MBUCV XI�� 3745, 4 males, 1 female; Venezuela, Lara State, road from Barquisimeto to Carora (10 �� 9 ���N, 69 �� 35 ���), collected by G. Pereira, 11 Oct 1980. MBUCV XI�� 3748, 8 males, 13 females; Venezuela, Gu��rico State, Calabozo town (9 �� 5 ���N, 67 �� 3 ���W), collected by G. Pereira, 5 May 1992. MBUCV XI�� 3750, 4 males; Venezuela, Apure State, Mantecal town (7 �� 35 ���N, 69 �� 48 ���W), collected by G. Pereira, 26 May 1980. Measurements.��� Holotype male 4.88 mm length, 2.80 mm height. Paratype males 3.84��6.80 mm length, 2.24��4.64 mm height (n= 70). Paratype females 3.28 ��6.00 mm length, 2.08��3.88 mm height (n= 70). Description.���Carapace with umbo on anterior margin, more rectangular in males than in females, bearing shallow ridges between each growth line in the entire length of carapace, more conspicuous on dorsal margin (Fig. 2 A,B). Female carapace with dorsal margin slightly arched behind umbo (Fig. 2 B). Males and females similar in size. Area between growth lines ridges granulated, growth lines with a row of delicate short setae. Head with well developed occipital spine, ventrally arched in males (Fig. 2 C), but more straight in females (Fig. 2 D). Anterior margin of head with pronounced concavity above the eye in males, shallow concavity in females. Ocellus at rostral base, variable in shape. Male rostrum roundly spatuliform in lateral view (Fig. 2 C). Female rostrum angularly shaped, less broad than in males. In both sexes, wide fornices meet at rostral apex, where a sharp spine is located (Fig. 2 D). First antenna indistinctly segmented with 10��13 lobes bearing sensory setae in males and 8��11 lobes in females (Fig. 2 E, F). Male second antenna with peduncle indistinctly segmented, with 11 segments in both flagella, each segment with 2��7 dorsal spines and ventral long setae (Fig. 2 E). Female second antenna similar to male (Fig. 2 F). Male first thoracopod stout, with indentation at base of immovable finger (Fig. 2 G). Movable finger stout, strongly curved, with a truncated apex. Distal end with shallow blunt spines on ventral margin. Immovable finger stout, with stout thick acute spines on clasping border. Endite 4 stout, with simple terminal setae. Endite 5 (palp) stout, with two segments bearing setae only on distal segment. Total length of palp subequal to movable finger. Endite 1 strongly curved, with acute tip bearing two serrate terminal spines. Endite 2 and 3 lobe shaped, with pedunculate setae. Female first thoracopod with setose lobe on anterior side (Fig. 2 H). Female fifth, tenth and eleventh throracopod with epipods swollen and cylindrical in shape (female egg mass supporting appendages) (Fig. 2 I,J.K), less developed in fifth thoracopod (Fig. 2 I). Male telson with two rows of 19�� 23 sharp spines, some of which are small sized, with some bigger ones intercalated (Fig. 2 L). Telsonal filaments delicate, plumose on distal half, arising at the level of the second telsonal spine. Female telson similar to male in shape and spination (Fig. 2 M). Type Locality.���Road from Barquisimeto city to Carora town, Lara State, Venezuela. Etymology.���The name is derived from the Latin word ��� crista ��� (crest), to indicate that this species has a series of small protuberances resembling a crest on the upper margin of the carapace (Fig. 2 A, B). Remarks.���This species is easily distinguished from other South American Leptestheria by the presence of a series of protuberances on the dorsal margin of the carapace and by the characteristic shape of the female egg��supporting appendages. The spination pattern of the telson in this species is similar to that in L. tucumanensis and L. titicacae, species in which the armature is irregular because of the presence of large, strong teeth intercalated between the smaller ones, a pattern frequently observed in family Cyzicidae, but not common in species of Leptestheriidae (Harding, 1940). L. cristata was found in small shallow pools with scarce vegetation, cohabiting with the fairy shrimp D. geayi (Anostraca: Thamnocephalidae)., Published as part of Garcia, Jose Vicente & Pereira, Guido, 2003, A review of the clam shrimp family Leptestheriidae (Crustacea: Branchiopoda: Spinicaudata) from Venezuela, with descriptions of two new species, pp. 1-12 in Zootaxa 208 on pages 6-7, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.156375, {"references":["Harding, J. P. (1940) The Percy-Sladen Trust Expedition to Lake Titicaca in 1937. VIII Crustacea: Anostraca and Conchostraca. Transactions of the Linnean Society, 2, 149 - 153."]}

Morphological differences among groups of the 24 trunk limbs of Caenestheriella gifuensis (Ishikawa, 1895) and differences between males and females are described and illustrated. A setose attenuate lobe located proximally near enditic lobe 1 and a discoid lobe covered with small setae proximal to enditic lobe 1 are newly described. The five ventral enditic lobes, endopod, exopod, and dorsal exite of traditional spinicaudatan morphology are redescribed. Trunk limbs 1–4 of females bear a palp on enditic lobe 5 and trunk limbs 1–15 of males bear a similar palp. A second, articulating palp is associated with the base of the endopod of trunk limbs 1–2 of males. The proximal part of trunk limbs 19–24, bearing enditic lobe 1, articulates by an arthrodial membrane with the remainder of the limb, and the exite is distal to this arthrodial membrane. Development of trunk limbs, ascertained through an examination of early juvenile instars of Leptestheria kawachiensis Ueno, 1927, includes an asetose limb followed in time by a series of setose limbs that increase in morphological complexity with age. The number of lobes on the asetose limb varies from seven (corresponding to five enditic lobes, an endopod, and an exopod) on anterior limbs to five on trunk limb 24, which lacks the lobes corresponding to enditic lobe 4 and the endopod; these two structures are added later to setose limbs. The attenuate lobe, the discoid lobe, the exite of all trunk limbs, and the palps of the anterior trunk limbs are added to the setose limbs. Development of anterior limbs is accelerated relative to that of posterior limbs, and development of the more posterior limbs is truncated relative to that of limbs immediately anterior to them. Enditic lobe 4 and the endopod of limbs like trunk limb 24 develop from, or are patterned by, enditic lobe 5; the articulating palp of male trunk limbs 1–2 also may be added in this way. A comparison of these observations with development of the copepod maxilliped suggests that the spinicaudatan trunk limb is composed of a praecoxa with three lobes, a coxa and a basis each with one lobe, and an endopod of three segments in females and four in males. This is similar to the homology scheme previously proposed by Hansen in 1925. A critique is given of attempts to homologize parts of arthropod limbs based on developmental gene expression patterns. Stenopodal to phyllopodal transformations of maxillipeds in copepods provide a model at least partly applicable to spinicaudatans, and a ‘multibranched’ interpretation of spinicaudatan (and by extension branchiopodan) limb morphology is rejected. There is nothing intrinsic to the structure of the adult trunk limbs suggesting that they are similar to the adult limbs of the ancestral branchiopod or the ancestral crustacean, but early developmental steps of more posterior limbs are good matches for the morphology of an ancestral crustacean biramal limb predicted by a hypothesis of duplication of the proximo-distal axis. © 2003 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2003, 139, 547–564. No claim to original US government works.

The clam shrimps of the family Leptestheriidae from Venezuela are reviewed. Leptestheria venezuelica Daday, 1923, and two new species (L. cristata n. sp. and L. brevispina n. sp.) are presented. A redescription of L. venezuelica, descriptions of the new species, and comparisons with other South American species are included. A checklist of world Leptestheriiidae is included.

Leptestheria brevispina new species (Fig. 3) Material Examined.��� Holotype.��� MBUCV XI�� 4886, 1 male; Venezuela, Falc��n State, 5 km from Ad��cora town (11 �� 51 ���N, 69 �� 48 ���W), collected by G. Pereira, 9 May 1981. Paratypes.��� MBUCV XI�� 3743, 2 males, 17 females; Venezuela, Falc��n State, 5 km from Ad��cora (11 �� 51 ���N, 69 �� 48 ���W), collected by G. Pereira, 9 May 1981. Measurements.��� Holotype male 3.60 mm length, 2.16 mm height. Paratype males 3.12��3.6 mm length, 1.92��2.24 mm height (n= 2). Paratype females 2.48��3.12 mm length, 1.52 ��2.00 mm height (n= 17). Description. ���Carapace with umbo on anterior margin, similar in males and females (Fig. 3 A,B). Males and females similar in size. Area between growth lines granulated, growth lines with row of delicate short setae (Fig. 3 B). Head with short, blunt occipital spine in both sexes (Fig. 3 C, D). Anterior margin straight to convex. Ocellus at rostral base, variable in shape. Male and female rostrum angularly shaped with short fornices meeting at rostral apex (Fig. 3 C, D). Both sexes with sharp spine situated at rostral apex. First antenna indistinctly segmented, with 13��16 lobes bearing sensory setae in males and 8��11 lobes in females (Fig. 3 C, D). Male second antenna with peduncle indistinctly segmented and with 10 segments in both flagella, each segment with 2��5 dorsal spines and ventral long setae (Fig. 3 E). Female second antenna similar to male but with 9 segments on both flagella, and 1��4 dorsal spines on each segment (Fig. 3 F). Male first thoracopod stout, with slight indentation at base of immovable finger (Fig. 3 G). Movable finger stout, strongly curved with truncated apex. Distal end with blunt spines on ventral margin. Immovable finger stout, with stout, large, thick acute spines on clasping border. Endite 4 stout, with simple terminal setae. Endite 5 (palp) stout, with two segments, with setae only on distal segment. Total length of palp near half length of movable finger. Endite 1 strongly curved, with acute tip bearing two serrate terminal spines. Endite 2 and 3 lobed, with pedunculate setae. Female first thoracopod with setose lobe on anterior side (Fig. 3 H). Female seventh, eighth and ninth throracopod with epipods swollen and cylindrical in shape (Fig. 3 I). Male telson with two rows of 16��18 sharp spines, some of them smaller, with others bigger ones intercalated (Fig. 3 J). Telsonal filaments delicate, plumose on distal half, arising at level of first telsonal spine. Female telson more slender than in male, with two rows of 18 minute spines (Fig. 3 K). Type Locality.���Small shallow pool less than 1 m in diameter, located near (5 Km from) Ad��cora town, Falc��n State, Venezuela. Etymology.���The name is derived from the Latin word ��� brevis��� (short) and ���spina��� (spine) because of the shape of the occipital spine. Remarks.���This species is easily recognized by the blunt shape of the occipital spine, similar to that of L. dahalacensis (R��ppel, 1837) (Stra��kraba 1966, Brendonck et al. 1989) but shorter. The occipital margin is straight to convex in both sexes, with the male rostrum angularly shaped. The telson in this species is similar to that of L. cristata and L. tucumanensis. This species was found at a side of the road to Ad��cora town, in the beach in small shallow pools with scarce vegetation and 7 ��� salinity very near (at 20 m) from the shore line. This species was found cohabiting with the fairy shrimp Dendrocephalus spartaenovae Margalef, 1961 (Anostraca: Thamnocephalidae). There is no possibility that these individuals correspond to immature forms of the other species, since we have males of L. brevispina with developed first thoracopods. Also, a series of long thin spines on the distal end of the telson is present in juveniles and adults of L. venezuelica. While, a series of protuberances on the dorsal margin of the carapace is present in juveniles and adults of L. cristata, Additionally, a typical occipital spine and head shape is present for each of three species in adults and immature forms., Published as part of Garcia, Jose Vicente & Pereira, Guido, 2003, A review of the clam shrimp family Leptestheriidae (Crustacea: Branchiopoda: Spinicaudata) from Venezuela, with descriptions of two new species, pp. 1-12 in Zootaxa 208 on pages 7-8, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.156375, {"references":["Brendonck, L., Goddeeris, B. & Martens, K. (1989) Leptestheria dahalacensis (Ruppel, 1837), a conchostracan new for the Belgian fauna. Bulletin de L'Institut Royal des Sciences Naturelles de Belgique, Biologie, 59, 59 - 62."]}

Morphological changes during the process of ageing of Leptestheria saetosa Marincek et Petrov, 1992 were observed. It was established that the greatest number of analysed characteristics change intensively after sexual maturation. These changes continue throughout the entire life, although they are very slow in old specimens. Such a large number of changes brings about considerable morphological differences between adult specimens of different age.