July 2010 - Belgian and Thai taxonomists demonstrate the need for more taxonomic and faunistic studies on Southeast Asian micrometazoa
In a paper on sessile Cambodian rotifers, published in the Belgian Journal of Zoology, Belgian and Thai taxonomists conclusively show that very little is known on species diversity of Southeast Asian micrometazoa.
Abstract
Recognizing the dearth of information on the biodiversity and biogeography of Southeast Asian micrometazoa, particularly sessile rotifers, we examined two samples of submerged aquatic macrophytes (Hydrilla verticillata (L.f.) Royle and Utricularia sp.) from different sites in Cambodia. We were able to distinguish a total of 23 taxa, three of which may represent undescribed species. Two more taxa could not unequivocally be ascribed to a known species. We further comment on the distribution of Octotrocha speciosa Thorpe, which may be much less widespread than previously thought.
In addition to the three possibly new species, nine are newly recorded for the Oriental region; of these, two are recorded for the second time ever. All represent new records for the fauna of Cambodia. Our results illustrate the need for more detailed and thorough taxonomic and faunistic studies on this group of poorly known organisms.
From Belg. J. Zool., 140 (2) : 235-240
