Life History and Distributional Studies on Eubranchipus serratus Forbes (1876)

Abstract

During the late winter and spring of 1936 and 1937 the writers made a field study of the anostracan phyllopods occurring in the vicinity of Urbana, Illinois. Extensive field surveys were conducted and intensive collections made from one pond for experimental purposes. Special attention was directed toward the distribution, life history, and rate of growth in the ponds from the hatching of the eggs into metanauplii until the attainment of sexual maturity of the anostracan fairy shrimp Eubranchius serratus Forbes (1876), a form commonly found in Illinois and also reported from Missouri and Nebraska. Additional observations on the survival and growth of this form were made on individuals taken into the laboratory and maintained there at controlled temperatures. Collections other than near Urbana were made north to Rantoul, west to Monticello, east to Gray's Siding, and south to Savoy and Homer Park.