Distribution and phenology of large branchiopods in Austria

Reprinted from Hydrobiologia 359: 13-22 (1997), with kind permission from Kluwer Academic Publishers

Erich Eder, Walter Hödl & Renate Gottwald
 

Abstract

In Austria, the distribution of Anostraca, Notostraca, and Conchostraca is mainly confined to the flood plains of the rivers Morava and Danube, and the shallow alkaline pans of the Seewinkel region in Burgenland province. Occasionally, large branchiopods can also be found in rain pools of the eastern and central Austrian lowlands, where topography and climate favour the existence of astatic water bodies. Differences in hydrology, temperature and water chemistry requirements may be reflected in local species compositions and species seasonal appearance. A survey conducted from 1994 through 1996 found that Chirocephalus shadini, Eubranchipus grubii, and Lepidurus apus occurred in late winter and spring, while Branchinecta ferox, Branchinecta orientalis, Cyzicus tetracerus and Chirocephalus carnuntanus were found exclusively in spring. Streptocephalus torvicornis, Tanymastix stagnalis, and Eoleptestheria ticinensis were present in spring and summer. Branchipus schaefferi was found in summer and fall, whereas Imnadia yeyetta, Leptestheria dahalacensis, Limnadia lenticularis, and Triops cancriformis occurred throughout spring, summer and fall. Streptocephalus torvicornis was documented for Austria for the first time since 1965.

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