On the Phylogeny and Higher Classification of the Oligochaeta

Abstract

Abslr-nc/ 'l'hc 50 oligochactc taxa representing all families of "opisthoporous" oligochaetes (Alluroididae, earthworms and aquatic "megadriles") together with two representatives of the Haplotaxidac and three examples of"microdiles" wcrc subjected to cladistic analysis using the PAUP program. Sixty-eight characters used in the analyses were dcrivcd from a comprehensive range of somatic and grnital systems. The optimal result, in terms of maximal number of characters and taxa and of parsimony, produced two trres (consistrncy index 0.362) differing only in the placement ofthe monoty-pic clade for the family Lumbriculidac. From a line originating from the presumed octogonadial anccstor, the following branches were derived, in sequence from the basal to most derived (nrw taxa asteriskrd):

Evolution and biogeography of megadriles (Annelida, Clitellata)

“…In recent years, the evolution and phylogeny of nonhirudinean Clitellata have been investigated both by cladistic (Jamieson, 1978(Jamieson, , 1988Erséus, 1987Erséus, , 1990Coates, 1989;Brinkhurst, 1991Brinkhurst, , 1992Brinkhurst, , 1994 and by traditional comparative methods (Omodeo, 1987;Rota & Omodeo, 1992). The results obtained with the two different procedures were not consistent, but a more careful examination of some relevant biological and zoogeographical aspects hitherto disregarded may reduce the discrepancies and bring specialists closer to a common view of the history and relationships of the subclass.…”

“…In megadriles, a growth in body size cannot be matched by a proportional increase of the yolk reserves (Omodeo, 1987;Jamieson, 1988). Indeed, beyond a certain egg size, problems arise with regard to ooplasm elasticity and plasticity, egg laying, egg gas exchange, and even as a consequence of the energy waste occurring every time a ripe egg cannot be laid in due time.…”

On the origin of the Hirudinea and the demise of the Oligochaeta

“…the Branchiobdellida and the Acanthobdellida (Sawyer 1986;Brusca & Brusca 1990;Rouse & Fauchald 1995). However, the monophyly of the Oligochaeta has been regularly questioned and many authors have proposed schemes in which the Hirudinea are contained within the Oligochaeta (Erse¨us 1987;Jamieson et al 1987;Jamieson 1988;Gelder & Brinkhurst 1990;Brinkhurst & Gelder 1991;Ferraguti & Gelder 1991;Purschke et al 1993;Brinkhurst 1994Brinkhurst , 1999aSiddall & Burreson 1996;Ferraguti & Erse¨us 1999).…”

Earthworms of South East Queensland and their agronomic potential in brigalow soils

“…Opisthopora, but only including the Terrimegadrili (after Jamieson, 1988) of the latter group. Smaller, aquatic "microdrile" groups are excluded, even though taxa such as the Enchytraeidae contain terrestrial members.…”