Abstract

Portions of Chile were surveyed for Anostraca. Including the two species of Anemia previously reported from Chile, we found 5 new localities and range extensions for 5 species of Branchinecta. Previous studies on Chilean Anostraca have focused on Artemia, and although Branchinecta was previously reported in Antarctica close to Chilean Air Force installations, and in a few temporal ponds in Southern Patagonia, the species were never determined. Brief habitat descriptions, as well as conservation status, and identification keys are presented and discussed. Additionally, we describe a new species from the Atacama Desert, Branchinecta papillata n. sp.