The current status of ephemeral habitats of ancient Crustaceans (Class Branchiopoda) in Serbia with varying degrees of human impact

Abstract

This report presents overview of the current status of several areas with wetland habitats in Serbia inhabited by large branchiopods, ancient crustaceans from Class Branchiopoda. This group of animals is also called “living fossils” in literature due to their Cambrian origin. Similarly like in the other parts of the world, ephemeral large branchiopods' habitats are considered as vulnerable and endangered in Serbia. They are often destroyed, mainly due to agricultural and urban development. Since the habitat status was discussed 15 years ago, some recent checking of main threats and changes are the subject of this article. The most considerable landscape changes occurred due to construction of roads and traffic corridors. Legally protected areas are generally better preserved, and are under a lower anthropogenic pressure. At the end of this analysis we discussed some of the ways that may help to overcome current challenges in preservation and protection of these unique biotopes.