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

Comparative Mitogenomics of Leeches (Annelida: Clitellata): Genome Conservation and Placobdella-Specific trnD Gene Duplication

Mitochondrial DNA sequences, often in combination with nuclear markers and morphological data, are frequently used to unravel the phylogenetic relationships, population dynamics and biogeographic histories of a plethora of organisms. The information provided by examining complete mitochondrial genomes also enables investigation of other evolutionary events such as gene rearrangements, gene dupl...

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

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...

From Corsica to Britain: new outdoor records of Ocnerodrilidae (Annelida: Clitellata) in western Europe

The ocnerodrilids Eukerriasaltensis (Beddard, 1895) and Ocnerodrilusoccidentalis Eisen, 1878 are reported for the first time from outdoor localities above 42° N in Europe. The present new records comprise the first ever from England (River Thames, central London) and from France (River Golo, northern Corsica) and the northernmost occurrences in Italy (Liguria and Veneto). The new latitudinal li...

Evolution of body wall musculature.

A body wall musculature comprising an outer layer of circular fibers and an inner layer of longitudinal fibers is generally seen as the basic plan in Annelida. Additional muscles may be present such as oblique, parapodial, chaetal, and dorsoventral muscles. The longitudinal muscle fibers do not form a continuous layer but are arranged in distinct bands in polychaetes. Mostly there are four to s...