Scientific Communication

Abstract

A frrst record of Pleopis schmackeri (Poppe, 1889) (Branchiopoda, Onychopoda) in the Guanabara Bay, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil is described. This marine cladoceran species occurred in zooplanktonic samples obtained on June 26, 2000, with densities =: 4.0 ind.m-3 Its presence may be related with inflow of coastal waters to the bay. KEY WORDS. Cladocera, Pleopis schmackeri, zooplankton, Guanabara Bay, BrazilCladocerans are small crustaceans that mainly inhabit fresh water, with only eight truly marine species (ONBÉ 1999). As compared with the rest of eladoceran species, the ecological characteristics of Pleopis schmackeri (Poppe, 1889) are