Towards a phylogenetic classification of Leptothecata (Cnidaria, Hydrozoa).

ABSTRACT: Leptothecata are hydrozoans whose hydranths are covered by perisarc and gonophores and whose medusae bear gonads on their radial canals. They develop complex polypoid colonies and exhibit considerable morphological variation among species with respect to growth, defensive structures and mode of development. For instance, several lineages within this order have lost the medusa stage. Depending on the author, traditional taxonomy in hydrozoans may be either polyp- or medusa-oriented. Therefore, the absence of the latter stage in some lineages may lead to very different classification schemes. Molecular data have proved useful in elucidating this taxonomic challenge. We analyzed a super matrix of new and published rRNA gene sequences (16S, 18S and 28S), employing newly proposed methods to mea

SUBMITTER: Maronna MM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4731775 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature