Expanding distribution of Boeckella triarticulata (Thomson, 1883) (Copepoda: Calanoida: Centropagidae) in Southern Italy

Abstract

The record of Boeckella triarticulata in Southern Italy attests the expanding distribution of this Australasian copepod in Europe. The species was found in 3 recently realized lakes out of 21 water bodies sampled. The young age of the lakes colonized suggests that this species establishes itself in still immature aquatic habitats with a plankton community at an early developmental stage. Drawings of the species are provided and compared to those from literature.