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Scientific Name: Simocephalus exspinosus (De Geer, 1778)
English Name: Water Flea
Local/Bangla Name: Pani Poka (পানি পোকা)
Zooplankton : Simocephalus exspinosus

Photo: Ivan Sinkov (iNaturalist)

Classification:
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Branchiopoda
Order: Anomopoda
Family: Daphniidae
Description:
The female of this species typically has an oval or sub-rhomboidal body shape, slightly wider towards the rear. The dorsal margin is straight but curves abruptly near the posterior protuberance, with the posterior part being distinctly denticulate. The head is small and triangular, without an acute projection, and the rostrum is also small. Both the eye and ocellus are small, with the ocellus mostly rhomboidal in shape. The postabdomen is broad and deeply emarginate, narrowing slightly towards the apex, and typically bears 10-12 ciliated anal spines. The claw is long, with a distinct pecten at its base and setae on its concave margin. The length of the organism ranges from 1.0 to 2.5 mm. Regarding reproduction, this species employs parthenogenesis. The parthenogenetic female progresses through various adult stages and produces batches of eggs. These eggs are then incubated in the mother’s brood pouch, where embryonic development occurs, and the offspring are eventually released as juveniles.
Habitat & Distribution in Bangladesh:
Commonly found in rivers in Bangladesh, such as the Halda River.
Environment:
Freshwater, Brackish
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

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