Classification

Abstract

Cladocera classification and its taxonomic rank (infraorder, order or superorder) are still in a state of flux with many revisions, in preparation or already published. The higher taxonomic ranks of Cladocera are currently less important, as the ongoing dynamic of taxonomy in general is using phylogenetic analysis, which has been changing systematics into strictly phylogenetic nomenclature consisting of a formal rank-free classification system with taxonomic recognition of species (Ellison et al. 2014). Among the recent and most important Cladocera revisions are those published by Dumont and Silva-Briano (1998), Olesen (1998, 2000, 2002), Fryer (2001, 2002), Martin and Davis (2001), Dumont and Negrea (2002), Sacherova and Hebert (2003), Elmoor-Loureiro (2004b), Richter et al. (2007), Korovchinsky and Boikova (2008), Adamowicz et al. (2009), and Hudec (2010). Recently, new families were described and added to the Anomopoda order (Dumontidae, Nototrichidae—the latter name was later corrected to Gondwanotrichidae) (Santos-Flores and Dodson 2003; Van Damme et al. 2007a, b). Phylogenetic Cladocera classification elaborated by Fryer (1995) discussed ancestral anomopods (claiming their origin from the Paleozoic), but questioned the separation of Cretaceous chydorids into the new family Prochydoridae proposed by Smirnov (1992b). Negrea et al. (1999), Fryer (2001), and Dumont and Negrea (2002) removed the order Haplopoda (and its representative species ) from the superorder Cladocera. Recently, research done by Olesen et al. (2003) and Richter et al. (2007) and especially an excellent review of the Leptodora—Cladocera relation provided in the chapter “Why Is L. a Cladoceran?” by Korovchinsky and Boikova (2008) very well supported the traditional classification (i.e., Cladocera with four orders with 19 families). This also indicated that Cladocera is a monophyletic group. Here, in several following chapters, are descriptions of 175 species and their genera, families, and orders reported from Europe up to the end of November 2015. They are listed below.