Viditenos

Viditenos is a genus of small, freshwater crustaceans that was formally described in 2021 by the Russian biologist Dr. Anna Sokolova. The name derives from the Latin word *vidi* meaning "to see" and the Greek suffix *‑tenos*, used in crustacean taxonomy, reflecting the genus’s distinctive long, filamentous appendages that aid in sensory perception. Members of the genus are found in the lowland river basins of the Volga and Ural regions, where they inhabit muddy substrates and are often associated with aquatic vegetation such as reeds and cattails.

The type species, Viditenos brevialatus, was collected near the town of Yoshkar‑Ola and is characterized by its elongated carapace, reduced eye spots, and a pair of long setae on the first thoracic appendage. Subsequent molecular phylogenetic studies have positioned Viditenos within the family Pseudocerithidae, a group previously thought to be exclusively marine. This unexpected freshwater lineage has prompted discussions about the evolutionary transitions between marine and freshwater habitats in crustaceans.

Research into Viditenos has focused on its ecological role as part of the benthic food web, serving as prey for small fish and amphibians. Preliminary studies suggest that these organisms may be sensitive to changes in water quality, making them potential bioindicators of freshwater ecosystem health. Further investigations into their life history and reproductive strategies are ongoing, with new field surveys planned to map their distribution more comprehensively across Eurasian river systems.