Skip to main content
Log in

Comments on a phylogenetic system of the Platyhelminthes

  • Phylogeny
  • Published:
Hydrobiologia Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Using the principles and methods of phylogenetic systematics, the phylogenetic relationships among the basic closed descendent communities (monophyla) of the taxon Platyhelminthes are discussed.

A phylogenetic system of the Platyhelminthes is presented and several hypothesized autapomorphies of the well-known main subordinated monophyla of free-living and parasitic platyhelminths are named. A monophylum ‘Turbellaria’ does not exist in reality.

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

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

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

    Google Scholar 

  • Ax, P., 1985. The position of the Gnathostomulida and Platyhelminthes in the phylogenetic system of the Bilateria. In S. Conway Morris, D. G. George, R. Gibson & H. M. Platt (eds), The origins and relationships of lower invertebrates. University Press, Oxford: in press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brooks, D. R., 1982. Higher level classification of parasitic Platyhelminthes and fundamentals of cestode classification. In D. F. Mettrick & S. S. Desser (eds), Parasites — their world and ours. Elsevier Biomedical Press, Amsterdam: 189–193.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ehlers, U., 1985a. Das phylogenetische System der Plathelminthes. G. Fischer, Stuttgart, New York, 317 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ehlers, U., 1985b. Phylogenetic relationships within the Platyhelminthes. In S. Conway Morris, D. G. George, R. Gibson & H. M. Platt (eds), The origins and relationships of lower invertebrates. University Press, Oxford: in press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ehlers, U. & B. Ehlers, 1977. Monociliary receptors in interstitial Proseriata and Neorhabdocoela (Turbellaria Neoophora). Zoomorphologie 86: 197–222.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gustafsson, M., 1977. Aspects of the cytology and histogenesis in cestodes with special reference to the genus Diphyllobothrium. Academic Dissertation, Åbo Akademi, Finland.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hennig, W., 1966 (reprinted in 1979). Phylogenetic systematics. University of Illinois Press, Urbana, Chicago, London, 263 pp.

    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 in Convoluta ‘pulchra’ and Macrostomum hystricinum: significance for models of the turbellarian archetype. This volume.

  • Kluge, A. G., 1984. The relevance of parsimony to phylogenetic inference. In T. Duncan & T. F. Stuessy (eds), The estimation of evolutionary history. Proceedings of a workshop on the theory and application of cladistic methodology. Columbia University Press, New York: 24–38.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lacalli, T. C., 1983. The brain and central nervous system of Müller's larva. Can. J. Zool. 61: 39–51.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rieger, R. M., 1976. Monociliated epidermal cells in Gastrotricha: significance for concepts of early metazoan evolution. Z. zool. Syst. Evolutions forsch. 14: 198–226.

    Google Scholar 

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

    Google Scholar 

  • Rieger, R. M., 1981a. Morphology of the Turbellaria at the ultrastructural level. Hydrobiologia 84: 213–229.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rieger, R. M., 1981b. Fine structure of the body wall, nervous system, and digestive tract in the Lobatocerebridae Rieger and the organization of the glio-interstitial system in Annelida. J. Morph. 167: 139–165.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ruppert, E. E., 1978. A review of metamorphosis of turbellarian larvae. In F. S. Chia & M. Rice (eds), Settlement and metamorphosis of marine invertebrate larvae. Elsevier/NorthHolland Biomedical Press, Amsterdam, New York: 65–81.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith, J. P. S. III & S. Tyler, 1985. Frontal organs in the Acoelomorpha: ultrastructure and phylogenetic significance. This volume.

  • Smith, J. P. S. III, S. Tyler & R. M. Rieger, 1985. Is the Turbellaria polyphyletic. This volume.

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

    Google Scholar 

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

    Google Scholar 

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

    Google Scholar 

  • Tyler, S. & R. M. Rieger, 1977. Ultrastructural evidence for the systematic position of the Nemertodermatida (Turbellaria). Acta zool. fern. 154: 193–207.

    Google Scholar 

  • Watrous, L. E. & Q. D. Wheeler, 1981. The out-group comparison method of character analysis. Syst. Zool. 30: 1–11.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wiley, E. O., 1981a. Phylogenetics. The theory and practice of phylogenetic systematics. J. Wiley and Sons, New York, Chichester, Brisbane, Toronto, 439 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wiley, E. O., 1981b. Convex groups and consistent classifications. Syst. Bot. 6: 346–358.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Ehlers, U. Comments on a phylogenetic system of the Platyhelminthes. Hydrobiologia 132, 1–12 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00046222

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00046222

Keywords

Navigation