The Asellidae are a family of isopod crustaceans, one of the largest families of freshwater isopods, living in both epigean (surface water) and hypogean (subterranean) habitats in North America, Europe, Asia and North Africa. Members of the family have adapted to underground habitats at least 34 times over the course of their evolution.
Genera The family includes 19 genera:
Asellus Geoffroy, 1762 Baicalasellus Stammer, 1932 Bragasellus Henry & Magniez, 1968 Caecidotea Packard, 1871 Calasellus Bowman, 1981 Chthonasellus Argano & Messana, 1991 Columbasellus Lewis, Martin & Wetzer, 2003 Gallasellus Henry & Magniez, 1977 Lirceolus Bowman & Longley, 1976 Lirceus Rafinesque, 1820 Nipponasellus Matsumoto, 1962 Phreatoasellus Matsumoto, 1962 Proasellus Dudich, 1925 Remasellus Bowman & Sket, 1985 Salmasellus Bowman, 1975 Sibirasellus Henry & Magniez, 1993 Stygasellus Chappuis, 1943 Synasellus Braga, 1944 Uenasellus Matsumoto, 1962
Phylogeny Partial phylogenetic tree based on genetic data after Saclier et al. 2025:
References