Towards a phylogenetic classification of Leptothecata (Cnidaria, Hydrozoa)

Author(s)

Maronna, Maximiliano M. ^[1] ; Miranda, Thais P. ^[1] ; Cantero, Alvaro L. Pena ^[2] ; Barbeitos, Marcos S. ^[3] ; Marques, Antonio C. ^{[4, 1]}

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Inst Biociencias, Dept Zool, Rua Matao Trav 14, 101, BR-05508090 Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[2] Univ Valencia, Dept Zool, Inst Cavanilles Biodiversidad & Biol Evolut, Valencia - Spain

^[3] Univ Fed Parana, Dept Zool, BR-81531990 Curitiba, Parana - Brazil

^[4] Univ Sao Paulo, Ctr Biol Marinha, Sao Sebastiao - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: SCIENTIFIC REPORTS; v. 6, JAN 29 2016.
• Web of Science Citations: 31

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 measure branch support and improve phylogenetic signal. Our analysis recovered new clades not recognized by traditional taxonomy and corroborated some recently proposed taxa. We offer a thorough taxonomic revision of the Leptothecata, erecting new orders, suborders, infraorders and families. We also discuss the origination and diversification dynamics of the group from a macroevolutionary perspective. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 14/24407-5 - Benthic hydroids in sub Antarctic and Antarctic region endemism areas and their dispersion mechanisms influence on marine biogeographic patterns
• Grantee: Thaís Pires Miranda
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 13/50484-4 - Biodiversity and distribution patterns of the Medusozoa form the South-Western Atlantic
• Grantee: Antonio Carlos Marques
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 11/50242-5 - Dimensions of marine life: patterns and process of diversifications in planktonic and benthic cnidarians
• Grantee: Antonio Carlos Marques
• Support Opportunities: BIOTA-FAPESP Program - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 10/06927-0 - Biodiversity and areas of endemism of benthic hydroids (Cnidaria, Hydrozoa) from southern South America and Antarctica
• Grantee: Thaís Pires Miranda
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 04/09961-4 - Biodiversity, evolution, endemism and conservation of the Medusozoa from the Southwestern Atlantic
• Grantee: Antonio Carlos Marques
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants