Charles Chilton: the Phreatoicoidea and other interests of a phreatic pioneer from down under

Besides his widespread activities in zoology and university development, Charles Chilton (1860—1929) was a pioneer in phreatic research who opened up the possibilities of the new science in the Southern Hemisphere. He described phreatic and subterranean species of Isopoda and Amphipoda from New Zealand, Australia and elsewhere and discussed the significance of their morphology and habitat. His finds included the first species of the widespread endemic Southern Hemisphere group, the Phreatoicoidea, and he pointed to Gondwanaland connections in this and other groups which he accepted and interpreted in the context of his time.