How threatened are large branchiopods (Crustacea, Branchiopoda) in the Iberian Peninsula?

Abstract

The Iberian Peninsula harbours 24 taxa of native large branchiopods (LBs). Most of them inhabit Mediterranean temporary ponds, which are priority habitats under the EU Habitats Directive. In this work, Iberian LBs were evaluated using IUCN Red List criteria based on geographic range (extent of occurrence, area of occupancy, number of locations, habitat fragmentation and expected decline). Our results show that 46% of the Iberian LBs are threatened: four taxa should be considered as Critically Endangered (Linderiella baetica, Triops emeritensis, Cyzicus tetracerus and Leptestheria mayeti), three taxa fall under the category Endangered (Artemia salina, Tanymastigites lusitanica and Triops vicentinus) and four species (Artemia sp. parthenogenetic strains, Branchinecta orientalis, Lepidurus apus and Triops gadensis) are Vulnerable. Two species (Phallocryptus spinosus, and Maghrebestheria maroccana) are considered Near Threatened. Our results highlight the worrying risk of extinction of Iberian LBs at the regional level, mainly related to the disappearance and degradation of their habitats and the relatively low degree of habitat protection. For Iberian endemic species, this evaluation is also valid at the global level and gives strong support for their inclusion in the IUCN Red List.