Integrative taxonomy and fossil record of Anaspidacea (Malacostraca, Crustacea) - from the surface to the groundwater or vice versa?

• Applicant: Christoph Höpel
• Subject Area: Systematics and Morphology (Zoology)
• Term: since 2026
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 579102742

I propose to study the undersampled and understudied families of the Anaspidacea (Koonungidae, Psammaspididae, “Raptornungidae”, Stygocarididae), which inhabit different freshwater habitats on mainland Australia and Tasmania. In contrast to the best known and studied family of Anaspidesidae, which occurs mainly in surface waters (mountain tarns, pools, creek, runnels) and caves, the other families primarily inhabit wetlands, hyporheic and groundwater habitats, but are also found in caves. I intend to study their systematics, diversity and spatial distribution in combination with analyses of morphology (micro-CT, clsm, SEM, UV-light for fossils) and genetics using an integrative taxonomic approach. I aim to resolve the phylogenetic relationships within the Australian Anaspidacea and to describe new species, genera and families. To provide palaeontological context and calibration points for molecular divergence analyses, I also will have opportunity to study and re-describe the two fossil species that can be convincingly related to Anaspidacea, and to describe a third fossil species, recently uncovered from Jurassic deposits of New South Wales. I also intend to describe the first larval stage for the taxon Anaspidacea, as they usually have a direct development.

• DFG Programme: WBP Fellowship
• International Connection: Australia
• Host: Professor Dr. Shane Ahyong