A new species of Diaphanosoma Fischer, 1850 (Crustacea: Branchiopoda: Sididae) inhabits lakes of the western United States

<p><em>Diaphanosoma edmondsoni </em>sp. nov. is described from material from several lakes in Washington, California, and Montana. It differs from all other known species of the genus in having a specific combination of traits: a head with conspicuously protruding dorsal part, comparatively small eye shifted ventrally, specific armament of postero-ventral valve margin, lack of thorn(s) near posterior valve margin, comparatively long distal basal spine of postabdominal claws of slightly variable shape, and occasional presence of additional large spines on the claws. This is the first endemic species of the genus (and also of the family Sididae and order Ctenopoda) recorded in the western part of North America, which along with some other cladocerans form a group of taxa highlighting this region as one of the regional centers of endemic aquatic fauna. <strong></strong></p>

Occurrence of Guernella raphaelis Richard, 1892 (Crustacea: Cladocera: Macrothricidae) in Ciénaga Grande de Santa Marta, Colombia

The occurrence of Guernella raphaelis Richard, 1892 in Ciénaga Grande de Santa Marta, Colombia, is reported. The specimens are briefly described and compared with literature data. The Colombian specimens are very similar to previously described Brazilian and Argentinean populations, presenting four setae on the inner distal lobe of trunk limb I and ciliated lamella on postabdominal claws. On the other hand, they differ from New Guinean specimens which present three setae on the inner lobe of trunk limb I. The present observations support the idea that Guernella raphaelis could be a complex of species, reinforcing the necessity of a revision of this genus.