Evolutionary history of Chaetognatha inferred from molecular and morphological data: a case study for body plan simplification.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Chaetognatha are a phylum of marine carnivorous animals which includes more than 130 extant species. The internal systematics of this group have been intensively debated since it was discovered in the 18(th) century. While they can be traced back to the earlier Cambrian, they are an extraordinarily homogeneous phylum at the morphological level - a fascinating characteristic that puzzled many a scientist who has tried to clarify their taxonomy. Recent studies which have attempted to reconstruct a phylogeny using molecular data have relied on single gene analyses and a somewhat restricted taxon sampling. Here, we present the first large scale phylogenetic study of Chaetognatha based on a combined analysis of nearly the complete ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes. We use this analy

SUBMITTER: Gasmi S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4254178 | biostudies-literature | 2014

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature