Rotifer fauna from Venezuela

The rotifer fauna of Venezuela is analysed in the light of previously exist ing literature and observations, and the unpublished results of authors. A total of 268 taxa belonging to 44 genera are recorded. The genera Lecane, B rachionus and Trichocerca are the most diverse. Taxocoenosis consists of co smopolitan (68 %), pantropical (19 %), neotropical (11 %) and neartic (2 %) taxa. The proportion of endemic taxa is comparable to other tropical regio ns where endemism of genus Brachionus is the highest. Only a small number o f species are quite common and occurr in a wide range habitats. Flooding wa terbodies have the largest number of taxa. Some amazonian endemic taxa can be found up to 10 degrees north latitude, while others are restricted to th e Orinoco River Basin under this latitude. Taxa generally related to coasta l regions are restricted to basins near to the Caribbean Sea.