Crustacean systematics in South Africa status and historical overview

A brief history of crustacean systematics in South Africa is provided. The first paper devoted entirely to South African Crustacea was published by Ferdinand Krauss in 1843. This set a pattern for the rest of the 19th century in which material was sent to Europe and analysed by the great taxonomists of the time, notably G.O. Sars and T.R.R. Stebbing. From 1910 onwards the focus shifted to local specialists, notably the extraordinarily prolific Keppel Barnard, who provided the inspiration and groundwork for many later workers. The current crustacean fauna of the region comprises 2979 species, of which 2360 are marine, 436 freshwater and 183 terrestrial. The most diverse groups are the Decapoda (718 species) in the marine environment, the Ostracoda(ca. 150 species) in freshwater systems and the Isopoda (176 species) on land. Endemicity rates increase with the transition from marine (30%) through freshwater (51%) to terrestrial (84%) habitats. At present there are no full-time professional crustacean taxonomists in South Africa, although the discipline is maintained by a small group of part-time workers, assisted by overseas specialists.