Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in
Book cover

Advances in the Biology of Turbellarians and Related Platyhelminthes pp 13–21Cite as

Is the Turbellaria polyphyletic

  • Conference paper

Part of the book series: Developments in Hydrobiology ((DIHY,volume 32))

Abstract

Within the last two decades, syntheses of both light-microscopic and ultrastructural characters have shown that there are three well-defined monophyletic groups within the Platyhelminthes: 1) the Catenulidale, 2) the Nemertodermatida-Acoela, and 3) the Haplopharyngida-Macrostomida-Polycladida-Neoophora (+ parasitic platyhelminth classes). However, the relationships among these three groups are problematic. The possible apomorphies that would unite them are either not true homologues (i.e. frontal organ), are mutually conflicting (i.e. 9+1 axoneme in spermatozoa vs. biflagellate spermatozoa, epidermal ciliary rootlet structure, and protonephridia), or are unrooted with any outgroup and hence untestable or uncertain as apomorphies (pro- tonephridia, mode of epidermal replacement, absence of accessory centrioles on cilia). The chief obstacle to deciphering the relationships of these groups is the lack of information on them; presently available information is insufficient to test potential synapomorphies and insufficient also to allow agreement upon a narrowly defined outgroup for the Turbellaria.

A view consistent with the present evidence (and admittedly an unsatisfactory view) is to regard the Turbellaria (and hence the Platyhelminthes) as polyphyletic, consisting of three separate and unrelatable groups.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   169.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD   219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Ax, P., 1961. Verwandtschaftsbeziehungen und Phylogenie der Turbellarien. Ergebn. Biol. 24: 1–68.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ax, P., 1984. Das phylogenetische System. Systematisierung der lebenden Natur auf Grund ihrer Phylogenese. G. Fischer, Stuttgart, New York, 349 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Baccetti, B. & B. A. Afzelius, 1976. The biology of the sperm cell. Monographs in Development Biology 10, 254 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ball, I. R., 1974. A contribution to the phylogeny and biogeog-raphy of freshwater triclads (Platyhelminthes: Turbellaria). In N. W. Riser & M. P. Morse (eds), Biology of the Turbellaria. McGraw-Hill, New York: 339–401.

    Google Scholar 

  • Doe, D. A., 1981. Comparative ultrastructure of the pharynx simplex in Turbellaria. Zoomorphology 97: 133–193.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dorey, A. E., 1965. The organization and replacement of the epidermis in acoelous turbellarians. Quart. J. microsc. Sci. 106: 147–172.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ehlers, U., 1977. Vergleichenden Untersuchungen über Collar-Rezeptoren bei Turbellarien. Acta zool. fenn. 154: 137–148.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ehlers, U., 1984. Das phylogenetische System der Plathel-minthes. Habilitationsschrift, Universität Göttingen.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ehlers, U., 1985a. Phylogenetic relationships within the Platyhelminthes. In S. Conway Morris, J. D. George, R. Gibson, H. M. Platt (eds), Origins and relationships of lower invertebrates. University Press, Oxford, (in press)

    Google Scholar 

  • Ehlers, U., 1985b. Comments on a phylogenetic system for the Platyhelminthes. This volume.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ferrero, E., 1973. A fine structure analysis of the statocyst in Turbellaria Acoela. Zool. Scr. 2: 5–16.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hein, C, 1928. Zur Kenntnis der Regenerationsvorgange bei den Rhabdocoelen. Mit Angaben uber den feineren Bau und die Lebensausserungen. Z. wiss. Zool. 130: 469–546.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hendelberg, J., 1977. Comparative morphology of turbellarian spermatozoa studied by electron microscopy. Acta zool. fenn. 154: 149–162.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hendelberg, J., 1983. Platyhelminthes — Turbellaria. In K. G. Adiyodi & R. G. Adiyodi (eds), Reproductive biology of invertebrates. Vol. II, Spermatogenesis and sperm function. J. Wiley & Sons, Ltd., Chichester: 74–104.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hendelberg, J., 1985. The phylogenetic significance of sperm morphology. This volume.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hendelberg, J. & K.-O. Hedlund, 1974. On the morphology of the epidermal ciliary rootlet system of the acoelous turbellarian Childia groenlandica. Zoon 2: 13–24.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hennig, W., 1950. Grundzüge einer Theorie der phylogenetischen Systematik. Deutscher Zentralverlag, Berlin.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hori, I., 1978. Possible role of rhabdite-forming cells in cellular succession of the planarian epidermis. J. electr. Microsc. 27: 89–102.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Karling, T. G., 1940. Zur Morphologie und Systematik der Al-loeocoela Cumulata und Rhabdocoela Lecithophora (Turbellaria). Ark. Zool. 10: 331–345.

    Google Scholar 

  • Karling, T. G., 1965. Haplopharynx rostratus Meixner (Turbellaria) mit den Nemertinen vergleichen. Z. zool. syst. Evolutionsforsch. 3: 1–18.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Karling, T. G., 1974. On the anatomy and affinities of the turbellarian orders. In N. W. Riser & M. P. Morse (eds), Biology of the Turbellaria. McGraw-Hill, New York: 1–16.

    Google Scholar 

  • Klauser, M., J. P. S. Smith & S. Tyler, 1985. Ultrastructure of the frontal organ of Convoluta ‘pulchra’ and Macrostomum spp.: significance for the turbellarian archetype. This volume.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kiimmel, G., 1962. Zwei neue Formen von Cyrtocyten. Vergleich der bisher bekannten Cyrtocyten und Erg änzung des Begriffs ‘Zelltyp’. Z. Zellforsch. 57: 172–201.

    Google Scholar 

  • Luther, A., 1904. Die Eumesostominen. Z. wiss. Zool. 77: 1–273, Taf. I-X.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lyons, K. M., 1977. Epidermal adaptions of parasitic platyhel-minths. Symp. zool. Soc. London 39: 97–144.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mamkaev, Yu. V., 1979. On histological organization of the turbellarian digestive system. [in Russian] Proc. zool. Inst. Acad. Sci. U.S.S.R. 84: 13–24.

    Google Scholar 

  • Marchand, B. & X. Mattei, 1976. Ultrastructure du sper-matozoide de Centrorhynchus milvus Ward, 1956 (Paleacan-thocephala, Polymorphidae). C. r. Séanc. Soc. Biol. 170: 237–241.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Martin, V. J. & M. B. Thomas, 1981. The origin of the nervous system in Pennaria tiarella as revealed by treatment with col-chicine. Biol. Bull. 160: 303–310.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Moraczewski, J., 1977. Asexual reproduction and regeneration of Catenula (Turbellaria, Archoophora). Zoomorphologie 88: 65–80.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moraczewski, J., 1981. Fine structure of some Catenulida (Turbellaria Archoophora). Zool. pol. 28: 367–415.

    Google Scholar 

  • Remane, A., 1956. Die Grundlagen des natiirlichen Systems, der vergleichenden Anatomie und der Phylogenetik. Akademische Verlagsgeselschaft, Leipzig, 364 pp. (Reprinted 1971 by Otto Koeltz, Königstein, Taunus.)

    Google Scholar 

  • Reuter, M. & I. Palmberg, 1983. Asexual reproduction in Microstomum lineare (Turbellaria). II. The nervous system in the division zone. Int. J. invert. Reprod. 6: 207–217.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rieger, R. M., 1976. Monociliated epidermal cells in Gas-trotricha: Significance for concepts of early metazoan evolution. Z. zool. Syst. Evolutionsforsch. 14: 198–226.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rieger, R. M., 1978. Multiple ciliary structures in developing spermatozoa of marine Catenulida (Turbellaria). Zoomorphologie 89: 229–236.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rieger, R. M., 1981. Morphology of the Turbellaria at the ultra-structural level. Hydrobiologia 84: 213–229.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rieger, R. M., 1985. Asexual reproduction and the turbellarian archetype. This volume.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rieger, R. M. & M. Mainitz, 1977. Comparative fine structural study of the body wall in Gnathostomulida and their phylogenetic position between Platyhelminthes and Aschel-minthes. Z. zool. syst. Evolutionsforsch. 15: 9–35.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rieger, R. M. & S. Tyler, 1979. The homology theorem in ultra-structural research. Am. Zool. 19: 654–666.

    Google Scholar 

  • Skaer, R. J., 1965. The origin and continuous replacement of epidermal cells in the planarian Ploycelis tenuis (Iijima). J. Embryol. exp. Morph. 13: 129–139.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Smith, J. P. S., 1981. Fine-structural anatomy of the parenchyma in the Acoela and Nemertodermatida (Turbellaria). Ph.D. Dissertation, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith, J. P. S. & S. Tyler, 1985a. The acoel turbellarians: kingpins of metazoan evolution or a specialized offshoot? In S. Conway Morris, J. D. George, R. Gibson, H. M. Platt (eds), Origins and relationships of lower invertebrates. University Press, Oxford. (in press)

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith, J. P. S. & S. Tyler, 1985b. Frontal organs in the Acoe-lomorpha: ultrastructure and phylogenetic significance. This volume.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith, J. S., S. Tyler, M. B. Thomas & R. Rieger, 1982. The nature of turbellarian rhabdites: phylogenetic implications. Trans. am. microsc. Soc. 101: 209–228.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sopott-Ehlers, B., 1985. The phylogenetic relationships within the Seriata (Platyhelminthes). In S. Conway Morris, J. D. George, R. Gibson, H. M. Platt (eds), Origins and relationships of lower invertebrates. University Press, Oxford, (in press).

    Google Scholar 

  • Steinböck, O. 1925. Zur systematik der Turbellaria metamerata. Zool. Anz. 64: 165–192.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sterrer, W. & R. Rieger, 1974. Retronectidae — a new cosmopolitan marine family of Catenulida (Turbellaria). In N. W. Riser & M. P. Morse (eds), Biology of the Turbellaria. McGraw-Hill, New York: 63–92.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tyler, S., 1976. Comparative ultrastructure of adhesive systems in the Turbellaria. Zoomorphologie 84: 1–76.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tyler, S., 1979. Distinctive features of cilia in metazoans and their significance for systematics. Tissue Cell 11: 385–400.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tyler, S., 1984. Turbellarian platyhelminths. In J. Bereiter-Hahn, S. Matoltsy, K. S. Richards (eds), Biology of the integument, Vol. 1, Invertebrates. Springer-Verlag, Berlin: 112–131.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tyler, S. & R. M. Rieger, 1977. Ultrastructural evidence for the systematic position of the Nemertodermatida (Turbellaria). Acta zool. fenn. 54: 193–207.

    Google Scholar 

  • Westblad, E., 1948. Studien über Skandinavische Turbellaria Acoela V. Ark. Zool. 41A: 1–82.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wiley, E. O., 1981. Phylogenetics. The theory and practice of phylogenetic systematics. Wiley Interscience, New York, 439 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilson, R. A., L. A. Webster, 1974. Protonephridia. Biol. Rev. 49: 127–160.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Zoology, University of Maine, Orono, ME, 04469, USA

    Julian P. S. Smith III & Seth Teyler

  2. Department of Biology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27514, USA

    Reinhard M. Rieger

Authors
  1. Julian P. S. Smith III
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Seth Teyler
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Reinhard M. Rieger
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Seth Tyler

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1986 Dr W. Junk Publishers, Dordrecht

About this paper

Cite this paper

Smith, J.P.S., Teyler, S., Rieger, R.M. (1986). Is the Turbellaria polyphyletic. In: Tyler, S. (eds) Advances in the Biology of Turbellarians and Related Platyhelminthes. Developments in Hydrobiology, vol 32. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-4810-5_2

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-4810-5_2

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-010-8632-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-009-4810-5

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation