Neodiaphanosoma a new genus of Sididae (Branchiopoda, Ctenopoda); with description of N. bergamini sp. n. and comments on N. Volzi (Stingelin 1905)

This paper describes a previously unknown ctenopod crustacean of the family Sididae, collected in Brazil and Venezuela which, along with the forms known as Diaphanosoma volzi, displays distinctive characteristics that are here recognised as being of generic magnitude. Phenetic analysis of the species within the family Sididae, supports the hypothesis that Neodiaphanosoma constitutes a well defined group, differentiated enough from Diaphanosoma to be accepted as a different genus. The new genus seems to be a group of specialised species, close to Diaphanosoma with advanced features. Some features shared with Sarsilatona, Latonopsis and Pseudosida probably reflect convergence related to littoral habitat more than ancestry.[PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]