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Rotifer fauna from Venezuela

Abstract:

The rotifer fauna of Venezuela is analysed in the light of previously existing literature and observations, and the unpublished results of authors. A total of 268 taxa belonging to 44 genera are recorded. The genera Lecane, Brachionus and Trichocerca are the most diverse. Taxocoenosis consists of cosmopolitan (68 %), pantropical (19 %), neotropical (11 %) and neartic (2 %) taxa. The proportion of endemic taxa is comparable to other tropical regions where endemism of genus Brachionus is the highest. Only a small number of species are quite common and occurr in a wide range habitats. Flooding waterbodies have the largest number of taxa. Some amazonian endemic taxa can be found up to 10° north latitude, while others are restricted to the Orinoco River Basin under this latitude. Taxa generally related to coastal regions are restricted to basins near to the Caribbean Sea.