So far, I have only found Lepadella cristata in the Schwemm Moor in Austria. The samples contained numerous specimens, which are easily recognizable by their dorsal, crescent- or sickle-shaped keel (s. figs. 1 a, 2 a and 3). This keel was roughly the same shape and size in all specimens in my population. However, it is subject to a certain degree of variability and can also appear hook- or fin-shaped.

The ventral side of Lepadella cristata is flat, and under high magnification I was able to see faint longitudinal folds (s. fig. 5), which I have also found in other Lepadella species (e.g., Lepadella biloba and Lepadella rhomboides). The apical sinus on the ventral side is V-shaped and the foot groove is approximately rectangular with broadly rounded corners (s. fig. 5).

Another important identifying feature of Lepdaella cristata is the elongated last foot segment, which is easily recognizable (s. fig. 4). The loricae of my specimens were between 130–140 µm long, which fits well with the range of 110–148 µm given by Koste (1978). According to Koste, the distribution of this species seems to be limited to acidic waters with a pH of 4.5–6.4, which is confirmed by the location Schwemm Moor where the specimens were found.