The discovery and exploration of cryptic species have been profoundly expedited thanks to developments in molecular biology and phylogenetics. In this study, we apply a reverse taxonomy approach to the Brachionus calyciflorus species complex, a commonly studied freshwater monogonont rotifer. By combining phylogenetic, morphometric and morphological analyses, we confirm the existence of four cryptic species that have been recently suggested by a molecular study. Based on these results and according to an exhaustive review of the taxonomic literature, we name each of these four species and provide their taxonomic description alongside a diagnostic key.

• MeSH
• DNA, Helminth genetics   MeSH
• Species Specificity MeSH
• Ecosystem MeSH
• Phylogeny MeSH
• Microscopy, Electron, Scanning MeSH
• Molecular Biology MeSH
• Sequence Analysis, DNA MeSH
• Fresh Water MeSH
• Rotifera anatomy & histology   classification   genetics   MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Female MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Geographicals
• Netherlands MeSH