DISTRIBUTION AND PHENOLOGY OF LARGE BRANCHIOPODS IN AUSTRIA

In Austria, the distribution of Anostraca, Notostraca, and Conchostrac a is mainly confined to the flood plains of the rivers Morava and Danu be, and the shallow alkaline pans of the Seewinkel region in Burgenlan d province. Occasionally, large branchiopods can also be found in rain pools of the eastern and central Austrian lowlands, where topography and climate favour the existence of astatic water bodies. Differences in hydrology, temperature and water chemistry requirements may be refl ected in local species compositions and species seasonal appearance. A survey conducted from 1994 through 1996 found that Chirocephalus shad ini, Eubranchipus grubii, and Lepidurus apus occurred in late winter a nd spring, while Branchinecta ferox, Branchinecta orientalis, Cyzicus tetracerus and Chirocephalus carnuntanus were found exclusively in spr ing. Streptocephalus torvicornis, Tanymastix stagnalis, and Eoleptesth eria ticinensis were present in spring and summer. Branchipus schaeffe ri was found in summer and fall, whereas Imnadia yeyetta, Leptestheria dahalacensis, Limnadia lenticularis, and Triops cancriformis occurred throughout spring, summer and fall. Streprocephalus torvicornis was d ocumented for Austria for the first time since 1965.