[Taxacom] Branchiobdellida (leeches?, oligochaetes?, or stem annelids?)

[Geoff Read]

Here's another one with a similar placement.

Marotta, R.; Ferraguti, M.; Erseus, C.; Gustavsson, L.M. (2008). Combined-data phylogenetics and character evolution of Clitellata (Annelida) using 18S rDNA and morphology. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 154(1): 1-26. 

"Morphological characters in combination with 18S rDNA suggest the following sister-group relationships: (1) between Acanthobdella and Hirudinida, with Branchiobdellida as their plesiomorphic sister group, and (2) between enchytraeids and Propappus, with both taxa grouping at the base of a large assemblage containing Lumbricidae, Lumbriculidae, Branchiobdellida, Acanthobdella, and Hirudinida."

Geoff 

>>> On 19/04/2010 at 3:21 p.m., <Tony.Rees at csiro.au> wrote:
> Dear Ken,
> 
> I imagine there is most likely some more recent literature on this, but in 
> case it helps, here is some text from the relevant chapter by Siddall et al. 
> in "Assembling the Tree of Life" (Cracraft & Donohue eds., 2004), discussing 
> results form nuclear and mitochondrial gene sequences:
> 
> [p. 244]
> 
> "... the results of this cooperative phylogenetic work was the unambiguous 
> validation of Livanow's (1906, 1931) assertions that Branchiobdellidans and 
> Acanthobdella share a recent common ancestor with leeches, which together 
> form the sister lineage to the lumbriculid ologichaetes (fig. 15.6)."
> 
> I can send you a copy of the cited figure if you are interested.
> 
> Regards,
> 
> Tony Rees
> Hobart
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: taxacom-bounces at mailman.nhm.ku.edu 
> [mailto:taxacom-bounces at mailman.nhm.ku.edu] On Behalf Of Kenneth Kinman
> Sent: Monday, 19 April 2010 12:43 PM
> To: taxacom at mailman.nhm.ku.edu 
> Subject: [Taxacom] Branchiobdellida (leeches?, oligochaetes?, or stem 
> annelids?)
> 
> Dear All,         
>        There seems to be some controversy over whether Order
> Branchiobdellida is:  (1) a primitive oligochaete taxon, (2) a primitive
> hirudinean (leech) taxon, or (3) something which split off before either
> of these main clitellate annelid taxa.  Is there any recent literature
> which might clearly point which of these three possibilities is the most
> likely?
>            ---------Thanks,
>                               Ken Kinman


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