Phylogeny, evolution and classification of the Branchiopoda (Crustacea)

We present a cladistic analysis of all branchiopod groups, using a total of 42 morphological characters. The class Branchiopoda is composed of five su perorders and 11 orders (nine recent, two fossil). The orders Ctenopoda, An omopoda and Onychopoda form a monophyletic group, combined in the superorde r Cladocera. The order Haplopoda, the fourth so-called cladoceran order (s. lat.), belongs to a new monotypic superorder, the Leptodorida. The circumt ropical Cyclesteria hislopi is the sole representative of a new conchostrac an order, the Cyclestherida.