Molecular phylogeny and systematics of native North American lumbricid earthworms (Clitellata: Megadrili).

ABSTRACT: The family Lumbricidae is arguably the most well-known and well-studied earthworm group due to its dominance in the European earthworm fauna and its invasion in temperate regions worldwide. However, its North American members, especially the genus Bimastos Moore, 1893, are poorly understood. We revised the systematics of the genus Bimastos and tested the hypothesis of the monophyly of North American lumbricids using morphological characters and eight molecular markers. Phylogenetic analyses based on our extensive sampling of Bimastos and inclusion of Dendrodrilus and Allolobophoridella indicated a well-supported clade containing Bimastos and Eisenoides Gates, 1969, and provided the first evidence supporting that North American lumbricids are monophyletic. Assuming the available divergence

SUBMITTER: Csuzdi C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5549934 | biostudies-literature | 2017

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature