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Macrodasyida (Gastrotricha): a cladistic analysis of morphology
Author(s) -
Hochberg Rick,
Litvaitis Marianne K.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
invertebrate biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.486
H-Index - 42
eISSN - 1744-7410
pISSN - 1077-8306
DOI - 10.1111/j.1744-7410.2001.tb00116.x
Subject(s) - autapomorphy , biology , polyphyly , monophyly , cladistics , paraphyly , zoology , systematics , taxon , evolutionary biology , taxonomy (biology) , phylogenetics , ecology , clade , biochemistry , gene
. A cladistic analysis based on 33 morphological characters was performed for the 31 genera currently assigned to the order Macrodasyida (Gastrotricha). Outgroup analysis indicated that the order is monophyletic and that it is defined by the structure of the pharynx and the complex distribution of duo‐gland adhesive organs. Of the 6 currently recognized families in Macrodasyida, our analysis confirmed that 4 families are monophyletic: Dactylopodolidae, Macrodasyidae, Thaumastodermatidae and Turbanellidae. Dactylopodolidae was further confirmed as the most basal family within the order based on the retention of several plesiomorphies. The other three families have well‐defined autapomorphies but will require further investigation to increase inter‐ and intrafamilial phylogenetic resolution. Planodasyidae appeared to be a paraphyletic taxon with no obvious autapomorphies; genera clustered among members of a polyphyletic family, Lepidodasyidae. We recommend that future research on macrodasyidan phylogeny focus on issues of comparative morphology and ultrastructure in lesser‐known taxa such as the Dactylopodolidae, and on the taxa Lepidodasyidae and Planodasyidae.