Lophotrochozoan relationships and parasites. A snap-shot

Abstract

Summary :Lophotrochozoa has been consistently recovered in molecular phylogenetic analyses using different markers. Current knowledge of lophotrochozoan relationships is reviewed and the place that parasites occupy in this phylogeny is discussed. Two major taxa are identified within Lophotrochozoa: Platyzoa and Trochozoa. Monophyly of both taxa is still under debate. Relationships within Trochozoa remain largely unclear, however, there is strong evidence that the so called "minor phyla" Sipuncula, Echiura, and Myzostomida are all nested within annelids. Monophyly of the former "Lophophorata" is rejected, and a close relationship between phoronids and brachiopods, as well as between bryozoans and kamptozoans is suggested instead. The movement of the field of systematics into the genomic era will greatly improve our knowledge in the near future.

The complete mitogenome of a peanut worm Phascolosoma pacificum (Sipuncula, Phascolosomatida, Phascolosomatidea)

“…This group consists of Sipuncula, Mollusca, Annelida, Nemertea, and Brachiopoda phyla. Although several studies focused on Trochozoan, the phylogenetic relationships of Sipuncula and Annelida are not confirmed (Bleidorn 2008;Hausdorf et al 2010). Due to reconstructed phylogenetic tree, Phascolosoma sp.…”