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1. The Yucatan Peninsula (YP), Mexico, is a large karstic Neotropical system hosting a highly diverse crustacean fauna related to epigean and subterranean aquatic habitats. There are more than 40 hypogean endemic species, thus qualifying as a subterranean biodiversity hotspot.2. In view of the relevance of both the YP karstic aquifer and its related crustacean fauna, the spatial distribution of 212 species from 1165 geo-referenced records of the inland aquatic crustaceans were analysed in relation to the geographic coverage of protected natural areas (PNAs) of the YP. The data analysed were obtained from sources including the authors' own observations, published literature, and institutional and government databases.3. The YP is an area with a high biodiversity of continental crustaceans and is also an important area of endemism worldwide. However, most of the crustacean fauna is at risk. Only 18.5% of the crustacean species recorded in the YP and only 3.2% of the endemic forms are distributed within the limits of a protected area. In addition, only five of the 48 endemic species are listed in the Mexican Official Standard (NOM-059-2010) and none of them occurs in a protected area.4. The groups with the highest endemism are the Remipedia and Ostracoda, each with two known YP endemic species. Peracarids are also highly endemic in the YP (62%), followed by Copepoda (27%), Decapoda (18%), and Branchiopoda (1.5%).5. Currently, the areas of most concern, owing to high tourist pressures, are the 'Corridor Tulum -Puerto Morelos' and the 'Ring of Cenotes', both having significant numbers of endemic forms. A revision of the PNAs' management programmes to incorporate aquatic ecosystems and biota, the expansion of selected PNAs to provide protection to critical unprotected areas, and increased research activities focused on the aquatic fauna are recommended actions.

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Based on the examination of specimens deposited in different national and international biological collections, we reviewed the ca. 800 records of the genus Eucyclops in Mexico and compared them with the type material of presumedly widespread species. Resulting from our taxonomical analysis, in this contribution we recognise 17 species dwelling in Mexico. Complementary upgraded descriptions of eight species emphasising newly introduced taxonomic characters are also presented from the examination of Mexican specimens. These species include E. elegans, E. prionophorus, E. festivus, E. leptacanthus, E. torresphilipi, E. chihuahuensis, E. cuatrocienegas and the recently described E. tziscao and E. angeli. In addition, the use of upgraded descriptive standards involving new morphological characters allowed the discovery of six new species that are described in this work: E. alekseevi sp. nov., E. wixarica sp. nov., E. defayeae sp. nov., E. mittmanni sp. nov., E. estherae sp. nov. and E. ishidai sp. nov. Most of these species were previously recorded in Mexico under different names. The occurrence of E. pectinifer, E. elegans, E. prionophorus and E. leptacanthus in Mexico is herein confirmed. We propose the ornamentation patterns of the fourth swimming legs (i.e. basipodite, coxal plates) as reliable additional characters to recognise closely related species of Eucyclops. The importance of the antennal basis ornamentation in the taxonomy of the genus is supported by our data. We evaluated the taxonomic value of 113 morphometric and binary characters using statistical methods; results of this analysis showed that morphometric characters alone overlap and thus have a limited value to distinguish species of Eucyclops. We include comments on E. serrulatus s. str. in order to provide a complete comparison frame among members of the serrulatus-species complex, but we did not find the strict form in the samples examined. A key to the Mexican species of the genus is also provided.

Th e cyclopoid copepod fauna of freshwater systems of the Mexican state of Veracruz, on the Gulf coast of Mexico, was completely unknown. During routine surveillance for larval mosquitoes, several types of aquatic habitats, including ephemeral ponds, springs, and bromeliads, were sampled and cyclopoid copepods were taxonomically studied. Five species were identifi ed, among them a new species of the cyclopine genus

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Remaneicaris is a species-rich Neotropical monophyletic group, easily recognized by the synapomorphic position of the outer seta of the third exopodite of leg 4, localized at 2/3 of the outer margin. The genus, comprising 35 species in five monophyletic groups, plus R. ignotus and R. meyerabichi, retains an unusual set of plesiomorphic characters. Herein we supplement the descriptions of the species belonging to the Remaneicaris argentina-group, and describe a new species from the tropical forest of Southeast Mexico. The present study extends the geographic distribution of the genus, with the northernmost record until now being from El Salvador. The genus having hitherto been known from interstitial groundwater habitats, this is its first record in epigean semi-terrestrial habitats. Remaneicaris siankaan sp. nov. was found in phytotelmata (bromeliads), leaf litter, moist soil, permanent ponds (known locally as "aguadas"), and temporal and permanent wetlands (savannahs). The new species can be easily characterized by its finely pitted cuticle, the ε (epsilon)-shaped thumb of the male P3 and the bifid accessory spine with distal hyaline inner tip, which precedes the thumb. A new method for the 3D reconstruction of microcrustaceans is described.