Species diversity and evolution of amphipods occurring in unique environments

Abstract

The gammaridean amphipod is a large taxon with over 7000 species described to date. They occupy important positions in the ecosystem as decomposers and as food for fish, birds, and mammals. Gammaridean amphipods occur in a wide variety of environments, from marine to brackish and freshwater to terrestrial. Recently, however, species of this group have been found in the mouth of a whale shark and in hot spring, previously unexpected and unique environments. This paper introduces gammaridean amphipods that occur in these special environments, as studied by the author.