Distribution of Branchinecta gaini (Branchiopoda: Anostraca) in the area of the Wilhelm Archipelago (Maritime Antarctica)

The anostracan Branchinecta gaini is the largest invertebrate animal in Antarctic freshwater bodies. This crustacean species playing important role in Antarctic ecosystems, was first recorded in the freshwater ponds of Petermann Island (Wilhelm Archipelago, Maritime Antarctica) during the Second French Antarctic Expedition of Jean-Baptiste Charcot in 1909. More complete official information about the distribution of this crustacean within this region of Antarctica is almost absent. Thus, present work aims to investigate the current distribution of B. gaini in the region of Argentine Islands – southern part of this archipelago. During multiyear sampling effort covering 2007, 2008, 2010 and 2020 expeditions, Branchinecta gaini was found in 32 freshwater bodies of 12 islands of the Wilhelm Archipelago region and for the first time in reservoirs of 11 islands.