Predicting the invasive potential of the cladoceran Daphnia lumholtzi Sars, 1885 (Crustacea: Cladocera: Daphniidae) in the Neotropics: are generalists threatened and relicts protected by their life-history traits?

Invasive species are one of the major threats to biodiversity, which is aggravated in poorly known groups, such as cladocerans. Daphnia lumholtzi Sars (Cladocera: Anomopoda: Daphniidae) is currently invading the Neotropical region, and there are few records of this process. Our goal was to predict the invasive scenario for D. lumholtzi in the Neotropics using species distribution modelling and to assess the climatic overlap of the invader with the native species. We trained our MaxEnt model using occurrence records from native and invaded areas and projected it in the Neotropics. Additionally, we compared the climatic niche of some native species with the invader’s niche. Our model showed high environmental suitability in areas connected by the lowland Paraná River Basin (southwestern Brazil, eastern Argentina and Uruguay), in south-central Chile and Atlantic coastal areas. Widely distributed native species showed climatic overlap with the invader, while relict species did not. Daphnia lumholtzi thrives in warm and stable environments (e.g. the Paraná River basin), which of concern because the invader could already be spreading in that area. Native species could suffer due to climatic niche similarity, while natural barriers and local environmental conditions may protect relict species. We urge the need for further studies to understand this invasion process more fully.   </p

Contribution to the knowledge of cladocerans fauna (Crustacea, Branchiopoda) from La Española lagoon, Colombia

Thirty-five cladocerans species are recorded from La Española lagoon in the Orinoquia region of Colombia; all are new records for Meta Department and 10 for Colombia. With the addition of these new reports, the total number of cladocerans for Colombia and the Meta department is increased by 124 and 38 species, respectively. The cladoceran fauna from the surveyed area is represented mainly by widespread species, commonly found in the Neotropical regions, but local morphological data are scarce in the regional literature. Brief diagnostic description of 18 species of cladoceran fauna recorded of the Meta department-Colombia are provided together with illustrations of taxonomically significant appendages, morphological remarks, notes on the variability of some species, and their distribution

Acute Cardiovascular Manifestations in 286 Children With Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome Associated With COVID-19 Infection in Europe

Background: The aim of the study was to document cardiovascular clinical findings, cardiac imaging, and laboratory markers in children presenting with the novel multisystem inflammatory syndrome associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection. Methods: This real-time internet-based survey has been endorsed by the Association for European Paediatric and Congenital Cardiologists Working Groups for Cardiac Imaging and Cardiovascular Intensive Care. Children 0 to 18 years of age admitted to a hospital between February 1 and June 6, 2020, with a diagnosis of an inflammatory syndrome and acute cardiovascular complications were included. Results: A total of 286 children from 55 centers in 17 European countries were included. The median age was 8.4 years (interquartile range, 3.8-12.4 years) and 67% were boys. The most common cardiovascular complications were shock, cardiac arrhythmias, pericardial effusion, and coronary artery dilatation. Reduced left ventricular ejection fraction was present in over half of the patients, and a vast majority of children had raised cardiac troponin when checked. The biochemical markers of inflammation were raised in most patients on admission: elevated C-reactive protein, serum ferritin, procalcitonin, N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide, interleukin-6 level, and D-dimers. There was a statistically significant correlation between degree of elevation in cardiac and biochemical parameters and the need for intensive care support (P<0.05). Polymerase chain reaction for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 was positive in 33.6%, whereas immunoglobulin M and immunoglobulin G antibodies were positive in 15.7% cases and immunoglobulin G in 43.6% cases, respectively, when checked. One child in the study cohort died. Conclusions: Cardiac involvement is common in children with multisystem inflammatory syndrome associated with the Covid-19 pandemic. The majority of children have significantly raised levels of N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide, ferritin, D-dimers, and cardiac troponin in addition to high C-reactive protein and procalcitonin levels. In comparison with adults with COVID-19, mortality in children with multisystem inflammatory syndrome associated with COVID-19 is uncommon despite multisystem involvement, very elevated inflammatory markers, and the need for intensive care support.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Rationale, study design, and analysis plan of the Alveolar Recruitment for ARDS Trial (ART): Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Background: Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is associated with high in-hospital mortality. Alveolar recruitment followed by ventilation at optimal titrated PEEP may reduce ventilator-induced lung injury and improve oxygenation in patients with ARDS, but the effects on mortality and other clinical outcomes remain unknown. This article reports the rationale, study design, and analysis plan of the Alveolar Recruitment for ARDS Trial (ART). Methods/Design: ART is a pragmatic, multicenter, randomized (concealed), controlled trial, which aims to determine if maximum stepwise alveolar recruitment associated with PEEP titration is able to increase 28-day survival in patients with ARDS compared to conventional treatment (ARDSNet strategy). We will enroll adult patients with ARDS of less than 72 h duration. The intervention group will receive an alveolar recruitment maneuver, with stepwise increases of PEEP achieving 45 cmH(2)O and peak pressure of 60 cmH2O, followed by ventilation with optimal PEEP titrated according to the static compliance of the respiratory system. In the control group, mechanical ventilation will follow a conventional protocol (ARDSNet). In both groups, we will use controlled volume mode with low tidal volumes (4 to 6 mL/kg of predicted body weight) and targeting plateau pressure &lt;= 30 cmH2O. The primary outcome is 28-day survival, and the secondary outcomes are: length of ICU stay; length of hospital stay; pneumothorax requiring chest tube during first 7 days; barotrauma during first 7 days; mechanical ventilation-free days from days 1 to 28; ICU, in-hospital, and 6-month survival. ART is an event-guided trial planned to last until 520 events (deaths within 28 days) are observed. These events allow detection of a hazard ratio of 0.75, with 90% power and two-tailed type I error of 5%. All analysis will follow the intention-to-treat principle. Discussion: If the ART strategy with maximum recruitment and PEEP titration improves 28-day survival, this will represent a notable advance to the care of ARDS patients. Conversely, if the ART strategy is similar or inferior to the current evidence-based strategy (ARDSNet), this should also change current practice as many institutions routinely employ recruitment maneuvers and set PEEP levels according to some titration method.Hospital do Coracao (HCor) as part of the Program 'Hospitais de Excelencia a Servico do SUS (PROADI-SUS)'Brazilian Ministry of Healt

Com o diabo no corpo: os terríveis papagaios do Brasil colônia

Desde a Antiguidade, papagaios, periquitos e afins (Psittacidae) fascinaram os europeus por seu vivo colorido e uma notável capacidade de interação com seres humanos. A descoberta do Novo Mundo nada faria além de acrescentar novos elementos ao tráfico de animais exóticos há muito estabelecido pelos europeus com a África e o Oriente. Sem possuir grandes mamíferos, a América tropical participaria desse comércio com o que tinha de mais atrativo, essencialmente felinos, primatas e aves - em particular os papagaios, os quais eram embarcados em bom número. Contudo, a julgar pelos documentos do Brasil colônia, esses voláteis podiam inspirar muito pouca simpatia, pois nenhum outro animal - exceto as formigas - foi tantas vezes mencionado como praga para a agricultura. Além disso, alguns psitácidas mostravam-se tão loquazes que inspiravam a séria desconfiança de serem animais demoníacos ou possessos, pois só três classes de entidades - anjos, homens e demônios - possuíam o dom da palavra. Nos dias de hoje, vários representantes dos Psittacidae ainda constituem uma ameaça para a agricultura, enquanto os indivíduos muito faladores continuam despertando a suspeita de estarem possuídos pelo demônio. Transcendendo a mera curiosidade, essa crença exemplifica o quão intrincadas podem ser as relações do homem com o chamado “mundo natural”, revelando um universo mais amplo e multifacetado do que se poderia supor a princípio. Nesse sentido, a existência de aves capazes de falar torna essa relação ainda mais complexa e evidencia que as dificuldades de estabelecer o limite entre o animal e o humano se estendem além dos primatas e envolvem as mais inusitadas espécies zoológicas.Since ancient times, parrots and their allies (Psittacidae) have fascinated Europeans by their striking colors and notable ability to interact with human beings. The discovery of the New World added new species to the international exotic animal trade, which for many centuries had brought beasts to Europe from Africa and the Orient. Lacking large mammals, tropical America participated in this trade with its most appealing species, essentially felines, primates and birds - especially parrots - which were shipped in large numbers. It should be noted, however, that at times these birds were not well liked. In fact, according to documents from colonial Brazil, only the ants rank higher than parrots as the animals most often mentioned as agricultural pests. On the other hand, some of these birds were so chatty that people suspected them to be demonic or possessed animals, since only three classes of beings - angels, men and demons - have the ability to speak. Nowadays, several Psittacidae still constitute a threat to agriculture, and the suspicion that extremely talkative birds were demon possessed has also survived. More than a joke or a mere curiosity, this belief exemplifies how intricate man’s relationships with the “natural world” may be. In this sense, the existence of birds that are able to speak adds a further twist to these relationships, demonstrating that the problem of establishing a boundary between the animal and the human does not only involve primates, but also includes some unusual zoological species

Faunal diversity of Cladocera (Crustacea: Branchiopoda) with notes on biogeographically important species in the floodplain wetlands of the Subansiri river basin, India

The plankton samples collected from the Subansiri floodplain wetlands revealed a rich Cladocera assemblage of 55 species belonging to 30 genera and 7 families. The species richness represents 42% and 75% of the total amount of fresh water species reported from India and Assam, respectively. Chydoridae was the most speciose family, with 31 species, while Ilyocryptidae was represented by a single species. Sididae, Daphniidae, Bosminidae, Moinidae and Macrothricidae were represented by four, five, three, two and four species, respectively. The faunal composition is represented by cosmopolitan, tropical and oriental elements. The documentation of Diaphanosoma dubium, Latonopsis australis, Simocephalus mixtus, Chydorus sphaericus, Chydorus parvus, Chydorus ovalis, Alonella clathratula, Pleuroxus cf. denticulatus, Picripleuroxus quasidenticulatus, Celsinotum macronyx, Coronatella anodonta and Kurzia (Rostrukurzia) brevilabris has biogeographic importance. We provide brief geographical distributional remarks about these 12 species from the collected samples. This was a preliminary study, as the fauna from the Indian subcontinent is poorly documented, and requires a taxonomic revision as a whole. The faunistic diversity of cladocerans comprises a clear representation of a tropical cladoceran assemblage.The study was intended to investigate faunal diversity of Cladocera in Subansiri flood plain wetlands. This is the first kind of study to document cladoceran fauna from these non-explored habitats

Cladocera from the Upper Xingu River Basin with the description of a new genus of the Chydoridae (Crustacea: Branchiopoda: Anomopoda)

Sousa, Francisco Diogo R., Elmoor-Loureiro, Lourdes M. A. (2018): Cladocera from the Upper Xingu River Basin with the description of a new genus of the Chydoridae (Crustacea: Branchiopoda: Anomopoda). Zootaxa 4418 (6): 545-561, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4418.6.

Monospilus

Key to identification of &lt;i&gt;Monospilus&lt;/i&gt; species of the world &lt;p&gt; 1. Carapace with lateral projections.................................... &lt;i&gt;M. daedalus&lt;/i&gt; (Kotov &amp; Sinev 2011) &mdash;East Asia&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;- Carapace without lateral projections.......................................................................2&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;2. Postabdominal claw armed with distalmost basal spine robust, while proximalmost basal spine short and thin............3&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; - Postabdominal claw armed with both distalmost and proximalmost basal spine robust.......... &lt;i&gt;M. dispar&lt;/i&gt; &mdash;Cosmopolitan?&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;3. Postabdominal claw on the postabdomen armed with two pectens...............................................4&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; - Postabdominal claw with a single saw-shaped pecten......................... &lt;i&gt;M. macroerosus&lt;/i&gt; &lt;b&gt;sp. nov.&lt;/b&gt; &mdash; Central Brazil&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; 4. Postabdominal claw with not sharp tip; proximalmost basal spine length about 1/5 of the length of the distalmost basal spine; labral keel with three rows of setulae...................................... &lt;i&gt;M. brachyspinus&lt;/i&gt; &lt;b&gt;sp. nov.&lt;/b&gt; &mdash; Central Brazil&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; - Postabdominal claw with sharp tip; proximalmost basal spine longer than half of distalmost spine length; labral keel with one row of setulae....................................................... &lt;i&gt;Monospilus&lt;/i&gt; &lt;b&gt;sp.&lt;/b&gt; &mdash;Southern South America&lt;/p&gt;Published as part of &lt;i&gt;Sousa, Francisco Diogo R., Elmoor-Loureiro, Lourdes M. A. &amp; Panarelli, Eliana A., 2017, The amazing diversity of the genus Monospilus Sars, 1862 (Crustacea: Branchiopoda: Aloninae) in South America, pp. 467-492 in Zootaxa 4242 (3)&lt;/i&gt; on page 486, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4242.3.3, &lt;a href="http://zenodo.org/record/376914"&gt;http://zenodo.org/record/376914&lt;/a&gt

Monospilus brachyspinus Sousa, Elmoor-Loureiro & Panarelli, 2017, sp. nov.

&lt;i&gt;Monospilus brachyspinus&lt;/i&gt; sp. nov. &lt;p&gt;(Figs. 5&ndash;6)&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;b&gt;Etymology&lt;/b&gt;. The name &ldquo; &lt;i&gt;brachyspinus&lt;/i&gt; &rdquo; come from joint of Greek word &ldquo; &lt;i&gt;brachy&lt;/i&gt; &rdquo; (short) and Latin word &ldquo; &lt;i&gt;spina&rdquo;&lt;/i&gt; (spine). The epithet refers to proximalmost basal spine on the postabdominal claw, which is very short.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;b&gt;Type locality.&lt;/b&gt; Jaquita&iacute; River (17&deg;46&rsquo;26&rdquo;S, 43&deg;54&rsquo;28&rdquo;W), Sempre Vivas National Park, Minas Gerais, Brazil.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;b&gt;Type material&lt;/b&gt;. &lt;b&gt;Holotype:&lt;/b&gt; undissected, adult parthenogenetic female in a tube with 92% ethanol deposited at the Museum of Zoology of the University of S&atilde;o Paulo under access number MZUSP34727. The label of the holotype is: &ldquo; &lt;i&gt;Monospilus brachyspinus&lt;/i&gt;, 1 parth. &female; from Jaquita&iacute; River, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Holotype&rdquo;.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;b&gt;Paratypes:&lt;/b&gt; Two adult parthenogenetic females from Jaquita&iacute; River (17&deg;46&rsquo;26&rdquo;S, 43&deg;54&rsquo;28&rdquo;W), Sempre Vivas National Park, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Material collected on 17/09/2010 by GEEA (EL02420). One adult parthenogenetic female from Preto River (17&deg;55&rsquo;29&rdquo;S, 43&deg;48&rsquo;23&rdquo;W), Sempre Vivas National Park, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Material collected on 15/09/2010 by GEEA (EL02421). Fourteen adult parthenogenetic female from Silipe River (17&deg;49&rsquo;56&rdquo;S, 43&deg;36&rsquo;51&rdquo;W), Sempre Vivas National Park, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Material collected on 06/10/ 2010 by GEEA (EL02525). Three adult parthenogenetic female from Inhacica River (17&deg;46&rsquo;47&rdquo;S, 43&deg;38&rsquo;10&rdquo;W), Sempre Vivas National Park, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Material collected on 06/10/2010 by GEEA (EL02526). One juvenile from Estiva stream, Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park, Goi&aacute;s, Brasil (14&deg;06&rsquo;40.3&rdquo;S, 47&deg;44&rsquo;02,2&rdquo;W).&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;Material collected on August/2012 by GEEA (EL02374). Four slides deposited at the Laborat&oacute;rio de Biodiversidade Aqu&aacute;tica, Universidade Cat&oacute;lica de Bras&iacute;lia (CLLA 204-207).&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;b&gt;Diagnosis&lt;/b&gt;. &lt;i&gt;Parthenogenetic feamale.&lt;/i&gt; Body spherical, brownish, dorsal margin strongly arched. Head with a large ocellus. Head shield triangular, rostrum long, its apex sinuous, in lateral view slightly pointed downward. Single major head pore with a protruded rim. Labrum with a keel bearing three rows of setulae at posterior margin; anterior margin sinuous, apex with a conical projection. Carapace with traces of incomplete moulting; ventral margin rounded armed with 52 plumose setae located exactly at the valve margin, clearly not articulated. Antennule short; antennular sensory seta slender; nine aesthetascs, one of then longer than the others. Antenna with branches/basal segment ratio about 2, armed with fine spinulae on each segments, first exopodite segment armed with a row of short and thin setulae inserted near to base. Apical spines with basal and apical portions armed laterally with fine spines. Abdomen as long as thorax. Postabdomen short; anal margin concave; preanal and postanal angles not clear; postanal margin armed with about five thick teeth. Postabdominal claw robust, of similar length to preanal margin, with two pectens; proximalmost basal spine short, about 1/5 of length the distalmost basal spine; distalmost basal spine about 1/3 of length of the postabdominal claw. First limb with seta 1 of endite 3 armed with long proximal spines; endite 2 with seta (e) long. Second limb with a single seta on exopodite; anterior soft seta inserted near base of first scraper; scrapers 3, 5&ndash;8 with thick denticles; gnathobase elongated; brush armed with thin setulae. Exopodite of third limb with seven long setae. Fourth limb with exopodite provided with six setae, first seta long; distal endite with first flaming-torch seta thick. Fifth limb with exopodite not divided into lobes, having four plumose setae similar in length; internal lobe elongated; gnathobase armed with three setae in filter comb. Sixth limb present. Ephippial female, ephippium, and male unknown.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;b&gt;Description of adult parthenogenetic female.&lt;/b&gt; &lt;i&gt;Habitus&lt;/i&gt; (Fig. 5 A). Size up 0.35 mm; body height/length ratio about 0.85; body spherical, brownish, dorsal margin strongly arched, without a dorsal keel or lateral projections.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;i&gt;Head&lt;/i&gt; (Fig. 5 A). Compound eye absent, large ocellus present. Head shield (Fig. 5 D) triangular, posterior portion elongated, mandibular articulation projected beyond margin. Rostrum relatively long, apex sinuous, in lateral view pointed downward. Single major head pore with a protruded rim; PP/body length about 0.27; lateral head pores absent.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;i&gt;Labrum&lt;/i&gt; (Fig. 5 E). Labral keel long, its posterior margin armed with three row of short setulae; anterior margin sinuous, with at least five lobes; apex with a short conical projection.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;i&gt;Maxilla&lt;/i&gt; (Fig. 6 A). Relatively well developed, with two long setulated setae.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;i&gt;Carapace&lt;/i&gt; (Fig. 5 B&ndash;C). Moulting incomplete, accumulation of two (juvenile) to five (adult) valves; ornamentation as hexagons with raised edge; ventral margin rounded, armed with 52 plumose setae, longer at middle portion; setae are located exactly at the valve margin, clearly not articulated. Inner spinulae on posterior margin absent.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;i&gt;Antennule&lt;/i&gt; (Fig. 5 F) with length about two times the width, not reaching tip of rostrum; three rows of setulae on antennular body. Antennular sensory seta slender, shorter than length of antennular body, inserted at the first quarter of antennule. Nine aesthetascs longer than antennular body; one longer aesthetasc present.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;i&gt;Antenna&lt;/i&gt; (Fig. 5 G). Coxal setae not studied. Basal segment thick, armed with several fine spinulae and long and thick spine. Branches/basal segment ratio about 2. First exopodite segment armed with a row of short and thin setulae inserted near to base and middle portion. Spine on first endopodite segment long, reaching middle-length of second endopodite segment; base and apex naked, armed laterally with fine spines. Apical spines with basal and apical portions armed laterally with fine spinulae. Antennal formula: spines 001/101 (exo/endo), setae 013/003 (exo/endo). All segments covered for several fine spinulae.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;i&gt;Abdomen&lt;/i&gt; (Fig. 5 A). As long as thorax. Abdominal setae not studied.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;i&gt;Postabdomen&lt;/i&gt; (Fig. 5 H). Short, height/length ratio about 0.40, ventral margin slightly convex, with two rows of spinulae. Preanal margin longer than each anal or postanal margin. Preanal and postanal angle not clear Anal margin large, concave, with four groups of strong spines and six lateral fascicles. Postanal margin short, constricted, relatively straight, armed with five thick spines; groups of lateral spines and fascicles present. Postabdominal setae (Fig. 5 H) about half the length of postabdomen; armed bilaterally with thin setulae. Postabdominal claw (Fig. 5 H) robust, of similar length to preanal margin, longer than anal margin; apex not sharp and slightly curved; proximal pecten consists of three thick spines increasing in size distally (in the juvenile were observed five spines); distal pecten consists of thick spinulae. Distalmost basal spine robust, broad, about 1/3 of length of the postabdominal claw, about two times as long as width of postabdominal claw at its base, proximalmost basal spine about 1/5 of length of the distalmost basal spine.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;Six pairs of limbs.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;i&gt;First limb&lt;/i&gt; (Fig. 6 B&ndash;F). Epipodite not studied. ODL with a thin seta longer than IDL setae, serrulations undistinguished; accessory seta not studied. IDL (en 4) with two groups of strong setulae; three setae present; first seta short, naked; setae 2&ndash;3 bisegmented, long, of similar length, armed with fine and short setulae. Endite 3 with four setae (1, a&ndash;c); seta (c) armed with setulae; seta 1 robust, laterally armed with spines decreasing in size towards distal portion; long proximal spines; endite presenting a long element near seta 1; posterior setae a&ndash;b setulated, longer than other two setae on the endite. Endite 2 with a row of thick spinulae; three posterior setae present (d&ndash;f); seta (f) shorter than the other setae, with thick spinulae and setulae on lateral face; seta (e) thick, somewhat longer than other setae, armed with thick spinulae and setulae on lateral face; seta (d) about same length as seta (e), setulated from median portion; one short element present. Endite 1 with three posterior setae (g&ndash;i); seta (i) halflength of seta (h) which has similar length to seta (g), both setae bisegmented and slightly setulated. Ejector hooks of different length, armed with thick denticles. Ventral face of limb with seven rows of setulae organized in clusters, decreasing towards distal portion, most distal clusters presenting thick setulae. Gnathobase thick, supplied with a densely setulated seta.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;i&gt;Second limb&lt;/i&gt; (Fig. 6 G). Exopodite subquadrangular, with a distal row of thin setulae. Seta on exopodite about same length than exopodite itself. Inner limb portion armed with eight scrapers decreasing in length towards gnathobase; anterior soft seta inserted near base of first scraper; scrapers 1&ndash;2 of similar length, armed with fine denticulation; scrapers 3, 5&ndash;8 with thick denticles. Proximal portion of gnathobase elongated and relatively narrow, gnathobasic brush extended, armed with thin setulae. Distal portion of gnathobase with a sensillum and three setae, first and third setae elongated and sharp, second seta with distal portion geniculated and armed with short denticles. Filter comb with seven setae, first seta short and densely setulated; other setae long.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;i&gt;Third limb&lt;/i&gt; (Fig. 6 H&ndash;J). Epipodite oval, with a short finger-like projection. Exopodite quadrangular, with five distal and two lateral setae; seventh seta longer than sixth seta; fifth and second setae of similar length; third and fourth setae of similar length, shorter than half length of second seta; first seta shorter than half length of second seta; setae 3&ndash;7 plumose; second seta armed only on distal portion, with short setulae on a side and thick spinulae on the other; first seta armed bilaterally with thick spinulae. Distal endite with three setae (1&ndash;3); two scraper-like setae with fine denticles (1&ndash;2); third seta slightly curved and armed with many setulae implanted bilaterally (3); four plumose posterior setae increasing in length towards gnathobase (a&ndash;d). Basal endite with four anterior soft setae (4&ndash;7); a large sensillum near base of first soft seta. Gnathobase armed with four elements; first a cylindrical sensillum, second a long geniculate seta setulated from the base, third and fourth elements with acute tip, naked. Filter comb with seven setae.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;i&gt;Fourth limb&lt;/i&gt; (Fig. 6 K&ndash;L). Pre-epipodite subquadrangular, armed with several thin setulae. Epipodite oval with a long projection. Exopodite round with six setae; fifth seta longer than sixth seta; fourth setae about same length of second seta; third seta markedly short; second seta long, armed with setulae and short spinulae; first seta longer than half length second seta, without setulae, bilaterally armed with thick and short spinulae. Distal endite with four setae (1&ndash;4), one scraper-like (1) and three flaming-torch setae decreasing in size towards the base (2&ndash;4); first flaming-torch seta thick, armed with long and thick setulae; a sensillum between base of second and third flamingtorch setae. Basal endite with three soft setae (a&ndash;c), increasing in length towards the base. Gnathobase armed with a globular sensillum and a setulated seta implanted on robust base. Filter comb with five slender setae.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;i&gt;Fifth limb&lt;/i&gt; (Fig. 6 M). Pre-epipodite oval and densely setulated. Epipodite round, with a long finger-like projection. Exopodite rectangular, not divided in lobes, about two times as long as wide; margin between setae 1&ndash;2 with a slight depression; four plumose setae; setae 1&ndash;4 of similar length; long and thin setulae near first seta. Internal lobe elongated, relatively rectangular and with setulae; two setulated setae of different length on inner face of the lobe, no elements between these setae. Gnathobase filter comb with three setae.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;i&gt;Sixth limb&lt;/i&gt; (Fig. 6 N). Wide and oval, armed laterally with long and fine setulae.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;b&gt;Ephippial female, ephippium and male.&lt;/b&gt; Unknown.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;b&gt;Differential diagnosis.&lt;/b&gt; &lt;i&gt;Monospilus brachyspinus&lt;/i&gt; &lt;b&gt;sp. nov.&lt;/b&gt; can be easily differentiated from its congeners by the morphology of the postabdominal claw, and through the longer proximal spines on the seta 1 of the endite 3 of the first limb. Specifically, &lt;i&gt;M. brachyspinus&lt;/i&gt; &lt;b&gt;sp. nov.&lt;/b&gt; differs from &lt;i&gt;M. macroerosus&lt;/i&gt; &lt;b&gt;sp. nov.&lt;/b&gt; because the former exhibits: (1) the seventh seta on the exopodite of the third limb longer than the sixth seta; (2) the first seta on the exopodite of the fourth limb exceeding the middle-length of the second seta; and (3) the setae on the exopodite of the fifth limb of similar lengths. The segments of antenna are thinner when compared to &lt;i&gt;M. macroerosus&lt;/i&gt; &lt;b&gt;sp. nov.&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; and &lt;i&gt;Monospilus&lt;/i&gt; sp. &lt;i&gt;Monospilus brachyspinus&lt;/i&gt; &lt;b&gt;sp. nov.&lt;/b&gt; differs from &lt;i&gt;M. dispar&lt;/i&gt; and &lt;i&gt;M. daedalus&lt;/i&gt; because it has a large element on the endite 3 of the first limb (to comparisons see Alonso, 1996 and Hudec, 2010). For more differences, see Table 1.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt; &lt;b&gt;Distribution and biology&lt;/b&gt;. Until now, &lt;i&gt;M. brachyspinus&lt;/i&gt; &lt;b&gt;sp. nov.&lt;/b&gt; is known only from the localities reported in this paper (see material examined; Fig. 9 A). Unlike &lt;i&gt;M. macroerosus&lt;/i&gt; &lt;b&gt;sp. nov.&lt;/b&gt;. we expect wider distribution for &lt;i&gt;M. brachyspinus&lt;/i&gt; &lt;b&gt;sp. nov.&lt;/b&gt; because it could use lotic systems to disperse. It is a species adapted to scraper habits because it exhibits thick denticles on the setae of the second limb. In the first limb, the spines observed on the third seta of the third endite may also be used for scraping on the substrate. &lt;i&gt;Monospilus brachyspinus&lt;/i&gt; &lt;b&gt;sp. nov.&lt;/b&gt; was found associated with macrophytes and falling leaves within lotic systems.&lt;/p&gt;Published as part of &lt;i&gt;Sousa, Francisco Diogo R., Elmoor-Loureiro, Lourdes M. A. &amp; Panarelli, Eliana A., 2017, The amazing diversity of the genus Monospilus Sars, 1862 (Crustacea: Branchiopoda: Aloninae) in South America, pp. 467-492 in Zootaxa 4242 (3)&lt;/i&gt; on pages 475-480, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4242.3.3, &lt;a href="http://zenodo.org/record/376914"&gt;http://zenodo.org/record/376914&lt;/a&gt