Project R-15182

Taxonomy and phylogeny of Schizorhynchia (Kalyptorhynchia, Rhabdocoela), an enigmatic taxon of turbellarians (Research)

Free-living platyhelminthes are among the most diverse groups of animals. Among these, Rhabdocoela, which is made up of the taxa Dalytyphloplanida, Kalyptorhynchia and Mariplanellida, comprises a total of approximately ~1838 described species. The majority of taxa within Rhabdocoela inhabit marine environments, being representatives of the meiofauna. The taxonomy, systematics and phylogenetic of rhabdocoels remain an area of ongoing study. Despite recent advances, the relationships among several taxa remain unresolved, particularly within the taxon Schizorhynchia, which includes five families: Cheliplanidae, Diascorhynchidae, Karkinorhynchidae, Nematorhynchidae, and Schizorhynchidae. Many species within these families are poorly described, belong to monospecific genera, or have unclear phylogenetic relationships. This PhD project aims to clarify the taxonomy of Schizorhynchia through the examination of preserved samples collected globally by the research group "Zoology: Biodiversity and Toxicology"; additionally, it seeks to resolve the phylogenetic relationships within Schizorhynchia. Through several field campaigns, new specimens from Mediterranean, Pacific, and Atlantic coasts will be collected for anatomical and taxonomic analysis. Phylogenetic relationships will be assessed by extracting genetic material and analysing 18S, 28S, and COX1 markers to produce robust, high-resolution phylogenetic trees of the inter- and intra-specific relationships within Schizorhynchia and generate a link between the systematics and morphological character evolution.

16 September 2024 - 06 September 2026