ICZN rules—a farewell to Tubificidae (Annelida, Clitellata)

Molecular evidence for the non-monophyletic status of Naidinae (Annelida, Clitellata, Tubificidae).

Naidinae (former Naididae) is a group of small aquatic clitellate annelids, common worldwide. In this study, we evaluated the phylogenetic status of Naidinae, and examined the phylogenetic relationships within the group. Sequence data from two mitochondrial genes (12S rDNA and 16S rDNA), and one nuclear gene (18S rDNA), were used. Sequences were obtained from 27 naidine species, 24 species from...

Tubificids with trifid chaetae: morphology and phylogeny of Heterodrilus (Clitellata, Annelida)

First record of Limnodrilus claparedeianus Ratzel, 1868 (Annelida: Oligochaeta: Tubificidae) in Anzali Wetland, Guilan province, Iran

Oligochaeta worms are important organisms in aquatic ecosystem. Their omnipresence makes them as an indicator of environmental changes and health of aquatic ecosystem. The members of the family Tubificidae and in particular, genus Limnodrilus are considered as the most tolerant oligochaets to aquatic pollution. Therefore identification and biological characteristics of this taxon are of great h...

NEW PHREODRILIDAE (ANNELIDA: CliTELLATA) FROM TASMANIAN ESTUARIES

A new species of Phreodrilidae from Macquarie Harbour, Tasmania is described. Astacopsidrilus ostiensis sp. nov. is unique in possessing the combination of long, tightly folded atria, modified spermarhecal chaetae and ventral chaetae that are almost simple pointed. These are the first phreodrilids to be recorded from estuarine or intertidal habitats, other than two species collected from beache...

The systematic position of Opistocystidae (Annelida, Clitellata) revealed by DNA data.

Opistocystidae Cernosvitov, 1936 is a largely Neotropical oligochaete taxon containing seven species. Its familial status has never been formally challenged, although possible close relationships with Naididae and Phreodrilidae have been noted. Mitochondrial 12S and 16S rDNA, and nuclear 18S rDNA, of a range of aquatic oligochaete taxa, including Trieminentia corderoi (Opistocystidae), were ana...