Annotated checklist of the rotifers (Phylum Rotifera), with notes on nomenclature, taxonomy and distribution

Phylum Rotifera comprises about 2030 known species classified in three main groups, the marine Seisonida ( 3 species), the Monogononta ( 1570 species) and the unique, exclusively parthenogenetic Bdelloidea with 461 clonal species. Here I present an annotated checklist of the taxon, giving the global distribution of the valid species. This checklist contains over 3,000 available names at the genus- and species- group level, including valid names and a non- comprehensive list of synonyms. A number of taxonomic and nomenclatural suggestions following from the review is presented. Suggestions include several new synonyms and two nomina nova: Dissotrocha kostei for Dissotrocha aculeata Koste, 1996 non Ehrenberg, 1838 ( stat. nov., ex. Dissotrocha hertzogi aculeata) and Lepadella zigzag for Lepadella bractea Myers, 1934 non ( Ehrenberg, 1838). This contribution also describes features of an on- line, global names database of the Rotifera, on which this checklist is based.