The phylogeny of the annelid genus Ophryotrocha (Dorvilleidae)

Abstract

Ophyotrocha is easy to keep in the laboratory and has therefore been used in several studies of evolution and speciation. The phylogenetic relationships within the group are, however, still not clear and morphological and molecular data are contradictory. Here we attempt to shed light on the phylogeny by adding an additional gene (cytochrome c oxidase subunit I) to the previous analyses of the group. However, the results are still incongruent with the results from the morphological data. We also include a species of the genus Iphitime, and conclude that this species falls within the Ophryotrocha clade. The implications are discussed.

Keywords:

• Dorvilleidae
• Lophotrochozoa
• model organism
• molecular phylogeny

Published in collaboration with the University of Bergen and the Institute of Marine Research, Norway, and the Marine Biological Laboratory, University of Copenhagen, Denmark

Published in collaboration with the University of Bergen and the Institute of Marine Research, Norway, and the Marine Biological Laboratory, University of Copenhagen, Denmark

Acknowledgements

Jon Kongsrud, Bergen Museum, Fredrik Pleijel, Göteborg University, and Eyvind Oug NIVA are thanked for help with obtaining references. Kenneth Meland and Endre Willassen, University of Bergen are thanked for critically reading and commenting on the manuscript. Critical comments from the subject editor and two anonymous referees greatly improved the manuscript. The study was funded by grants from the University of Bergen and from the Meltzer Foundation.

Notes

Published in collaboration with the University of Bergen and the Institute of Marine Research, Norway, and the Marine Biological Laboratory, University of Copenhagen, Denmark