A Comparative SEM morphological study on the egg shell in some Anostracans (Crustacea: Branchiopoda) from East Azerbaijan Province of Iran

Abstract:  The surface morphology of resting eggs of Anostracan species from East Azerbaijan Province of Iran and that of Artemia urmiana was compared using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Anostracan fauna of East Azerbaijan temporary pools were determined as follows: Chirocephalus skorikowi (Chirocephalidae), Branchinecta orientalis (Branchinectidae), Streptocephalus torvicornis (Streptocephalidae), Branchinella spinosa (Thamnocephalidae) and Artemia urmiana (Artemiidae). However other species may also exist in these pools. Therefore, evaluating the morphology of these cysts by SEM appeared to accentuate that study of cyst ornamentation is a valuable taxonomical factor and more importantly that it can be used to identify the species even when the adults are not present at the time of sampling or in the absence of water.