Biodiversity research is crucial to conservation and sustainable utilizatio
n of our fauna. We highlight and discuss four issues: (1) taxa chosen as in
dicator species, (2) use of morphospecies, (3) sampling techniques and (4)
integrative biogeographical and taxonomic work. We illustrate points with e
xamples from our work on millipedes. We emphasize careful planning and inte
rpretation when using indicator species; discourage the use of morphospecie
s, especially for conservation planning; encourage active sampling and espe
cially effort quantification; and recommend cladistic biogeography as a sou
nd approach to conservation planning, especially for invertebrates. We reit
erate the necessity for a sound taxonomic infrastructure to understand and
manage our biodiversity.