REVIEW OF THE CLAM SHRIMP FAMILY LYNCEIDAE STEBBING, 1902 (BRANCHIOPODA: CONCHOSTRACA), IN THE AMERICAS

Abstract

The North, South, and Central American species of the Lynceidae Stebbing are reviewed. Morphological characters that distinguish the family, including several not previously known or not recognized as being of familial importance, are illustrated and discussed. Of the three known genera in the family, only two, Lynceus Müller and Paralimnetis Gurney, are known from North, Central, and South America; the genus Lynceiopsis Daday, known only from Africa, is described and discussed for comparative purposes. Taxonomic characters that can be reliably used to identify American species are primarily those of the male first thoracopods (claspers) and head region (rostrum). All American species are redescribed, with two exceptions. The validity of two species, Lynceustropicus and L.rotundirostris. is questioned on the basis of the poor condition of type material and inadequate original descriptions. One new species of Paralimnetis Gurney is described from Texas. A key to the American species is included.