Evolution & Systematics

There is a large diversity of taxa within the Malacostraca, much of which is classified differently depending on the classification system. It has been suggested that Euphausiaceas’ sister group is the Peracarida and not the Syncarida that it is often most closely associated with (Richter & Scholtz, 2001). Genome sequencing has confirmed a much closer evolutionary relation with the mysids (pericarida) than that of the decapods despite insignificant differences in morphological classification (Jarman, et al. 2000).

Evolutionary differences present in the Euphausiaceans include the loss of the second filter mechanism in the stomach (Ullrich, et al. 1991).   

Image (Phylogeny of Malacostraca)

Phylogenetic tree by Maas & Waloszek, (2001)