Diversity and Biogeography of Crustaceans in Continental Waters

Dear Colleagues,

Crustaceans (including Microcrustacea such as Cladocera, Copepoda, and Ostracoda, as well as larger groups like Amphipoda, Decapoda, Isopoda, etc.) constitute an exceptionally diverse taxonomic assemblage, encompassing both parasitic and free-living organisms that inhabit marine, estuarine, and freshwater ecosystems. They play pivotal roles in continental water bodies across a broad spectrum of hydrological systems—from groundwater and wet soils to rivers, lakes, and hypersaline lagoons. Microcrustaceans, in particular, serve as major consumers of phytoplankton in freshwater ecosystems and bacteria in subterranean habitats, while larger crustaceans often act as keystone species, influencing nutrient cycling, predation dynamics, and habitat structuring. Their complex interactions with the environment and other organisms shape biogeochemical processes and determine aquatic community structure. Many crustaceans are ecosystem engineers, modifying habitats in ways that benefit or constrain other aquatic species. Due to their sensitivity to anthropogenic pressures, crustaceans—especially microcrustaceans—are valuable bioindicators for monitoring environmental pollution, habitat degradation, and climate change impacts.

This Special Issue, entitled "Diversity and Biogeography of Crustaceans in Continental Waters," expands its scope to include all crustacean groups in inland waters, integrating studies at species, population, and community levels, as well as ecosystem management and conservation strategies.

Topics of the Special Issue:

1. Advances in Taxonomy, Phylogeny, and Biogeography – Contributions may address systematics, evolutionary biology, and phylogenetic relationships of crustaceans in continental waters, including cryptic diversity and integrative taxonomy. Studies on organisms from lakes, rivers, groundwater, and semi-isolated basins (e.g., the Caspian Sea, Aral Sea, and ancient lakes) are encouraged.
2. Ecosystem Interactions and Community Dynamics – Research on spatial and temporal patterns of crustacean assemblages, including their role in food webs, biotic interactions, and responses to environmental gradients. Investigations into factor regulation (e.g., salinity, temperature, and predation) and their effects on biogeographic distributions are welcome.
3. Responses to Natural and Anthropogenic Pressures – Studies evaluating the impacts of climate change, pollution, habitat alteration, and invasive species on crustacean communities, with a focus on field-based research rather than laboratory microcosms. Priority will be given to studies assessing long-term changes, adaptive mechanisms, and conservation implications.

This Special Issue welcomes contributions spanning taxonomy, ecology, biogeography, and the conservation of crustaceans in continental waters, fostering a comprehensive understanding of their diversity and ecological significance.

Dr. Elena S. Chertoprud
Dr. Anna A. Novichkova
Guest Editors

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