Leptodora

Leptodora
Leptodora kindtii
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Branchiopoda
Order:	Haplopoda G. O. Sars, 1865
Family:	Leptodoridae Lilljeborg, 1861
Genus:	Leptodora Lilljeborg, 1861
Species
Leptodora kindtii (Focke, 1844) Leptodora richardii Korovchinsky, 2009
Synonyms
Hyalosoma Wagner, 1868

Leptodora is a genus containing two species of large, nearly transparent predatory water fleas. They grow up to 21 mm (0.83 in) long, with two large antennae used for swimming and a single compound eye. The legs are used to catch copepods that it comes into contact with by chance. Leptodora kindtii is found in temperate lakes across the Northern Hemisphere and is probably the only water flea species ever described in a newspaper; L. richardi is only known from eastern Russia. For most of the year, Leptodora reproduces parthenogenetically, with males only appearing late in the season, to produce winter eggs which hatch the following spring. Leptodora is the only genus in its family, the Leptodoridae, and suborder, Haplopoda.