Nematode systematics: past, present and future

A brief overview is given of nematode taxonomy since its beginnings in the second half of the 19(th) century. Most of the work concerned alpha-taxonomy, but in the thirties and subsequently from the sixties several classifications have been proposed. Since the eighties phylogenetic systematics was introduced as the underlying theory. Due to the pioneering work of several famous nematode taxonomists in the first half of the 20(th) century an increased interest for the discipline arose. Very unfortunately, this interest decreased in more recent times to an alarming extent. The difficulty to correctly identify and to describe the rapidly increasing numbers of taxa has discouraged many young scientists and diverted them toward more appealing disciplines. Taxonomy provides nevertheless the basic knowledge for studies on biodiversity as well as for analyses of ecological and phylogenetic relationships. Molecular techniques have made systematics again exciting; when combined with the more traditional morphological approach, they will lead to new insights. Hopefully, these will arouse the interest of young scientists. Even then the future of nematode taxonomy will depend on the funding opportunities provided by national and international authorities.