Diversity and distribution of the genus Hyalella (Crustacea: Amphipoda: Hyalellidae) in temporary wetlands from the southern Brazilian Coastal Plain, with a taxonomic key to the species in the region

ABSTRACT

The knowledge of the diversity and distribution of Hyalella species is scarce in the subtropical regions of Brazil. The present study investigated the diversity and distribution of Hyalella species in subtropical temporary wetlands in the southern Brazilian Coastal Plain. Six species were registered in the study region, including three new species of the genus. The spatial distribution of the species in the study region suggests that the hydrographic region (or freshwater ecoregion) is an important driver of the geographic distribution of the species. Thus, the present study increases to 19 the diversity of species with distribution in the southern region, with one new record for the state of Santa Catarina, one for the state of Rio Grande do Sul, and one for both states. We also expanded the distribution ranges of H. bonariensis, H. castroi, and H. kaingang. In addition, we elaborated a taxonomic key to the species of Hyalella known to southern Brazil. Thus, we demonstrate the need for more taxonomic studies to better understand the diversity of macroinvertebrates in Brazilian wetlands, in order to protect our fauna and contribute to the development of future conservation policies.

KEYWORDS:

• Biodiversity
• conservation
• freshwater crustaceans
• temporary ponds
• subtropical region

Author’s contribution

Jordan. T. Talhaferro: substantial contribution in the concept and design of the study; contribution to data collection, analysis, and interpretation; contribution to manuscript preparation, critical revision, and adding intellectual content.

Mateus M. Pires: Contribution to critical revision, adding intellectual content.

Cristina Stenert: Contribution to critical revision, adding intellectual content.

Leonardo Maltchik: Contribution to critical revision, adding intellectual content.

Alessandra A. P. Bueno: Contribution to critical revision, adding intellectual content.

Carla B. Kotzian: Contribution in the concept and design of the study; contribution to manuscript preparation, critical revision, and adding intellectual content.

Acknowledgments

We thank S. G. Monteiro and D. R. Stainki (LAPAVET - UFSM) for helping to mount Hyalella slides; I. Niderauer Soares (DEE - UFSM) for helping us in laboratory works; A. Paladini and S. Santos (PPGBA - UFSM), and P. B. Araujo (PPGBAN - UFRGS) for contributions to the manuscript. We also thank the Federal University of Santa Maria (UFSM) and the Postgraduate Program in Animal Biodiversity (PPGBA - UFSM) for logistic support.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This research was funded by CNPq (Brazilian National Council for Scientific and Technological Development), as part of the Project entitled ‘Effects of climate change on wetland biodiversity in southern Brazil: A space-time approach’ [grant number 474892/2013-1]. MMP was granted a postdoctoral fellowship by CNPq [grant number151152/2018-7; 159829/2019-4] at UNISINOS Biology Graduate Program. LM and CS have been continuously supported by CNPq via Research Productivity grants.