ONYCHOCAUDATA (BRANCHIOPODA: DIPLOSTRACA), A NEW HIGH-LEVEL TAXON IN BRANCHIOPOD SYSTEMATICS

The systematics of Branchiopoda has received much attention in recent years, and a full understanding of the higher-level classification seems close. Based on a number of phylogenetic analyses involving both morphological and molecular data, some higher-level taxon names have been resurrected in the last decades (Phyllopoda, Diplostraca, Cladocera, Gymnomera) and new names for new hypotheses have been suggested (Cladoceromorpha). Herein we suggest Onychocaudata n. tax, as a name for a clade consisting of Spinicaudata and Cladoceromorpha. This clade has in various previous publications received much morphological support (telsonal region and compound eye characters) as well as strong molecular support. We also argue that the name Diplostraca is best retained with its original content ('bivalved branchiopods') since there is still much evidence (especially morphological) for its monophyly and competing hypotheses, e.g., Notostraca and Laevicaudata as sister taxa, are less well supported.