CLADOCERA

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ARTHROPODA, Arthropods (phylum)

CRUSTACEA, Crustaceans (subphylum)

BRANCHIOPODA, Branchiopods (subclass).

[DIPLOSTRACA, GERSTEACKER 1866 (order)]

CLADOCERA, Water fleas, Latreille, 1829. (order)
[See figures of Cladocera: Click here]

Bivalved shell (Carapace) covers the body but leaves
the head free. Second antenna with dorsal branch
(exipodite) and ventral branch (endopodite). Six
pairs of legs of similar structure.Legs leaf-like.
Size 200-1500 μm. Filtrators, with filter setae on
the legs. Food: Algae, bacteria and detritus.

Key to the families of Philippine water fleas.

(Key to genera and species à 83)

78 a. Head without a protective head shield. Second antenna
(swimming antennae) with dorsal branch (exipodite)
2-segmented and ventral branch (endopodite) 3-segmented
and totally with more than ten swimming setae.
Six pairs of legs of similar structure..............SIDIDAE

Diaphanosoma sp.

78 b. Head with a protective head shield. Second antenna with
dorsal branch 3-segmented and ventral branch 3- or
4-segmented and totally with less than ten swimming
setae. Five or six pairs of legs of different
structure.................................................79

79 a. First antenna fused with the rostrum, forming a snout like formation.............................................BOSMINIDAE

Bosmina sp.

79 b. First antenna not fused with rostrum...........................80

80 a. One branch of antenna 3-segmented, the other 4-segmented.......81

80 b. Both branches of antennae 3-segmented..................CHYDORIDAE

Chydorus sp.

81 a. First antenna short, immobile..........................DAPHNIIDAE

Ceriodaphnia sp.

81 b. First antenna long, mobile.....................................81c+d

81 c. First antenna situated on ventral side of the head.......MOINIDAE

Moina sp.

81 d. First antenna situated on anterior margin of head.
Not planktonic...........................................MACROTRICIDAE

Macrothrix sp.

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