Identification key for the Brazilian species and subspecies of the family Ilyocryptidae (Crustacea, Branchiopoda, Anomopoda)

Abstract

Abstract In recent years, an increase in knowledge about the diversity and biogeography of Brazilian Cladocera fauna has been evident. To keep up with these changes, it is opportune to carry out an update of the taxonomy and biogeography for the main cladoceran groups. Since 2008, some progress has been observed in Ilyocryptidae, with reports of four new taxa. In this study, an updated checklist of Ilyocryptidae from Brazil is provided, with a diagnosis for each cited taxon, as well as an identification key. Some of these taxa are considered rare; however, this issue might be an artifact of sampling. As this is the first in a series of papers compiling current information about Brazilian Cladocera, an identification key to orders and families occurring in Brazil is also provided.