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Scientific Name: Simocephalus vetulus (O.F. Müller, 1776)
English Name: Water Flea
Local/Bangla Name: Pani Poka (পানি পোকা)
Zooplankton : Simocephalus vetulus

Photo: Proyecto Agua (iNaturalist)

Classification:
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Branchiopoda
Order: Anomopoda
Family: Daphniidae
Description:
The female of this species has a rhomboid or broadly rounded body, expanding towards the posterior and lacking a posterior spine. The posterodorsal corner exhibits a blunt angle, while the dorsal margin is moderately to strongly arched, with the posterior region featuring denticles. The head is small, with a large eye and an elongated ocellus. The postabdomen is broad, bearing 10 curved, ciliated anal spines, along with a long, curved, and denticulate claw. A prominent supra-anal angle is also present. The length of the organism ranges from 2 to 4 mm. In terms of reproduction, this species utilizes parthenogenesis. The parthenogenetic female undergoes multiple adult instars and produces batches of eggs. These eggs are then kept in the mother’s brood pouch until they hatch, and the young are subsequently 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