A taxonomic review and revisions of Microstomidae (Platyhelminthes: Macrostomorpha)

PLoS One. 2019 Apr 24;14(4):e0212073. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0212073. eCollection 2019.

Abstract

Microstomidae (Platyhelminthes: Macrostomorpha) diversity has been almost entirely ignored within recent years, likely due to inconsistent and often old taxonomic literature and a general rarity of sexually mature collected specimens. Herein, we reconstruct the phylogenetic relationships of the group using both previously published and new 18S and CO1 gene sequences. We present some taxonomic revisions of Microstomidae and further describe 8 new species of Microstomum based on both molecular and morphological evidence. Finally, we briefly review the morphological taxonomy of each species and provide a key to aid in future research and identification that is not dependent on reproductive morphology. Our goal is to clarify the taxonomy and facilitate future research into an otherwise very understudied group of tiny (but important) flatworms.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • DNA, Helminth / genetics
  • Phylogeny*
  • Platyhelminths / classification*
  • Platyhelminths / genetics*
  • Platyhelminths / physiology
  • Platyhelminths / ultrastructure
  • Reproduction

Substances

  • DNA, Helminth

Associated data

  • Dryad/10.5061/dryad.jn95jm1

Grants and funding

UJ received the grant DHA2014-151 4.3 from the Swedish Taxonomy Initiative https://www.artdatabanken.se/var-verksamhet/svenska-artprojektet/. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish or preparation of the manuscript.