THE NEOTROPICAL GENUS DENDROCEPHALUS (CRUSTACEA, ANOSTRACA, THAMNOCEPHALIDAE) IN BRAZIL (SOUTH-AMERICA), WITH A DESCRIPTION OF 2 NEW SPECIES

Two new species in the neotropical genus Dendrocephalus (Anostraca, Th amnocephalidae) are described from Brazil. Dendrocephalus orientalis n . sp., occurs in temporary rainpools in the eastern part of Brazil in the States of Paraiba and Bahia (Nordeste region). Dendrocephalus goia sensis n. sp. inhabits a temporary rainpool in the 'cerrados' in the S tate of Colas (Centro-Oeste region). The descriptions are based princi pally on male morphology, with a detailed study of the frontal appenda ge (basal part of the arms, branch 1V, 2A, and 2D), and of the endopod ites of the first four thoracopods. Cyst morphology is also described using scanning electron microscopy. Differential diagnoses of these tw o species are presented. New records of Dendrocephalus brasiliensis Pe sta, provide a better idea of its distribution range in Brazil. A dich otomous key to Brazilian dendrocephalids is included.