Skip to main content
Publications | Persons | Institutes | Projects
[ report an error in this record ]basket (0): add | show Print this page

Molecular phylogeny of Kalyptorhynchia (Rhabdocoela, Platyhelminthes) inferred from ribosomal sequence data
Tessens, B.; Janssen, T.; Artois, T. (2014). Molecular phylogeny of Kalyptorhynchia (Rhabdocoela, Platyhelminthes) inferred from ribosomal sequence data. Zoologica Scri. 43(5): 519-530. https://dx.doi.org/10.1111/zsc.12066
In: Zoologica Scripta. Blackwell: Stockholm. ISSN 0300-3256; e-ISSN 1463-6409, more
Peer reviewed article  

Available in  Authors 

Keyword
    Marine/Coastal

Authors  Top 

Abstract
    With 556 species described to date, Kalyptorhynchia includes about one-third of all species of rhabdocoel flatworms. In this study, we present the first molecular phylogenetic analysis of this taxon. The final analysis comprises 110 species. These represent 11 of the 17 known families. The largest family (241 known species), Polycystididae, is represented by nine of 10 subfamilies and 33 of the 58 genera. Sequence data from 18S rDNA and 28S rDNA were analysed using maximum likelihood and Bayesian approaches. Of the two taxa traditionally recognised within Kalyptorhynchia, Eukalyptorhynchia and Schizorhynchia, only Schizorhynchia is monophyletic. All eukalyptorhynch families, except Cicerinidae, are monophyletic. On the other hand, two of the three schizorhynch families included are not monophyletic. Within Polycystididae, the traditional taxonomy was not reflected in our phylogenetic analyses and most subfamilies are polyphyletic. These results suggest that current classification, mostly based on characters of the genital system, suffers from homoplasy. Where possible, a revised classification, taking into account these new findings, is given.

All data in the Integrated Marine Information System (IMIS) is subject to the VLIZ privacy policy Top | Authors