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Scientific Name: Picripleuroxus denticulatus Birge, 1879

Synonym: Pleuroxus denticulatus (Currently unaccepted)

English Name: Water Flea
Local/Bangla Name: Pani Poka (পানি পোকা)
Zooplankton : Picripleuroxus denticulatus

Photo: Ian Gardiner (iNaturalist)

Classification:
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Branchiopoda
Order: Anomopoda
Family: Chydoridae
Description:
The female has a broadly oval body with an arched dorsal margin and an almost straight posterior margin. The valves are striated, with the anterior part of the ventral margin being denticulate and the posteroventral corner having 2-4 denticles. It possesses a pointed and long rostrum, with the head shield rounded at the posterior margin. The antennules end far from the apex of the rostrum, and the ocellus is closer to the eye than to the apex of the rostrum. The postabdomen tapers distally with a truncate apex, bearing 3-4 large distal anal denticles and 8-12 denticles anterior to them, along with groups of lateral setae. The preanal corner slightly projects, and the claws have two basal spines, with the proximal one much shorter than the distal one. Its length is approximately 0.46 mm. The male, smaller than the female, has a short rostrum and a postabdomen that scarcely tapers distally. The distal anal denticles are distinct and followed by small setae up to the anus. The concave margin of the claw possesses setae and two basal spines, with the distal spine being larger. The vas deferens opens at the base of the claws, ventral to them, and its length is around 0.35 mm. Regarding its life cycle, it reproduces through parthenogenesis. The parthenogenetic female undergoes a series of adult instars and produces batches of eggs. Instead of being released externally, the eggs are incubated in the mother’s brood pouch. Embryonic development takes place within the brood pouch, and the young are released as juveniles.
Habitat & Distribution in Bangladesh:
Commonly found in rivers in Bangladesh, such as the Halda River.
Environment:
Freshwater
Main References:

Ahmed ATA, Kabir SMH, Ahmad M, Rahman AKA, Haque EU, Ahmed ZU, Begum ZNT, Hassan MA, Khondker M (eds.) (2008) Encyclopedia of Flora and Fauna of Bangladesh, Vol. 18. Part II. Arthropoda: Crustacea. Asiatic Society of Bangladesh, Dhaka, 226 pp

Other References:
DNA Barcodes from Bangladesh
GenBank Accession Number:
Other DNA Barcodes & Nucleutide Sequences
Global IUCN conservation status:
Other Information