1. Species online
  2. Small crustaceans in fresh waters
  3. Cladocera
  4. Macrothricidae Norman & Brady, 1867
  5. Drepanothrix

Drepanothrix dentata Baird

Forrige Opp Neste

Drepanothrix dentata has a carapace which is especially short and squat, and the edge protrudes in a peculiar thorn-like protuberance approximately in the middle dorsally. It is most common in lakes and seems quite tolerant with respect to pH and conductivity.

Key characteristics

Ryggtornkreps.
| G.O. Sars

Drepanothrix dentata (female)

Drepanothrix dentata has a carapace which is especially short and squat, and appears almost perfectly round. The edge protrudes in a peculiar thorn-like protuberance approximately in the middle dorsally. Seen from the side, its head is rather large, and, as in Acantholeberis curvirostris, it has a conspicuous, strongly protruding rostrum ventrally. Its postabdomen is very small, and its shape shows a very distinct approximation to that characterizing the genus Lathonura. The abdominal claw is difficult to see without dissecting the animal. D. dentata has a grey to yellowish/greenish colour. In the summer it can be more or less hyaline.

Female: Length 0.3–0.9 mm

Male: Length 0.4–0.7 mm

Ecology and distribution

D. dentata is a littoral species found in 2,5 % of the localities, which has a scattered distribution throughout the country. It is found from sea level to 1138 m a.s.l. and is most common in lakes. D. dentata seems to be quite tolerant to pH (4.6–7.7) and found both in electrolyte poor and electrolyte rich water.