Freshwater Animal Diversity in Time and Space

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About this Research Topic

Submission deadlines

  1. Manuscript Summary Submission Deadline 22 January 2026 | Manuscript Submission Deadline 18 May 2026

  2. This Research Topic is currently accepting articles.

Background

Freshwater ecosystems are considered the most vulnerable on a global scale, with the highest rates of extinction currently observed in them. They are also heavily affected by the invasions of alien species and the biota homogenization. Understanding current processes in freshwater basins and predicting possible future changes requires a complete understanding of the current state of freshwater biota and the mechanisms by which it is formed. It is also important to understand the factors that determine patterns of freshwater biodiversity on a global scale. These ecosystems have been studied unevenly, with freshwater habitats in the global South being the least studied. Another important challenge is the integration of data obtained from studying the geological record and information on extant populations and communities of freshwater organisms.

The aim of the Research Topic is to bring together research conducted by specialists in various groups of freshwater animals, including invertebrates and vertebrates, that would cover a wide range of issues related to the systematics, phylogeny and zoogeography of particular animal taxa, the formation of freshwater faunas and communities, and their paleontological history. The central problem is the study of the dynamics of freshwater animal diversity both in space (macroecological trends and patterns) and in time (the origin and evolution of freshwater animal communities).

We particularly welcome interdisciplinary (integrative) studies examining and discussing various aspects of freshwater animal diversity using a variety of research approaches. Review articles on topics attractive to a broad range of freshwater scientists are also of particular interest. We will also consider high-quality case studies on more specific topics, provided they are comprehensively covered. The preferred topics of contributions are evolution and diversification of freshwater animals, their phylogeny and systematics as well as various aspects of ecology. With regard to zoogeographic issues, large-scale studies demonstrating various macroecological patterns and processes are of greatest interest.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

  • Brief Research Report
  • Case Report
  • Classification
  • Clinical Trial
  • Editorial
  • FAIR² Data
  • FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
  • General Commentary
  • Hypothesis and Theory

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Keywords: Patterns of Biodiversity, Freshwater Animals, Invertebrates, Fish, Macroecology, Invasive Species, Zoogeography

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.

Topic editors

Manuscripts can be submitted to this Research Topic via the main journal or any other participating journal.

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