The project Amphipod.CH aims at better understanding the diversity and distribution of amphipods in Switzerland.
Despite the ecological importance of amphipods, until very recently only very little was known about this group of crustaceans for Switzerland. There was no overview or checklist, nor distribution maps nor suitable identification keys.
Therefore amphipods mostly got identified to family level in most of the research so far. This is not only problematic with regards to the many non-native species but also since there are many cryptic species that are only to be distinguished using molecular methods. In both cases an understanding to the family level is important. Furthermore, recent changes in the existing diversity may happen unnoticed. Last but not least an insufficient identification might spur results in ecotoxicological studies and prevent amphipods from being used as study organism.
