The phylogenetic relationships of "predatory water-fleas" (Cladocera: Onychopoda, Haplopoda) inferred from 12S rDNA.
Within the Cladocera, the water-fleas, four major taxa can be distinguished: Anomopoda, Ctenopoda, Haplopoda, and Onychopoda. Haplopoda and Onychopoda are called "predatory water-fleas." The Haplopoda is monotypic; its only representative, Leptodora kindtii, is common in palearctic and nearctic freshwater bodies. The Onychopoda show a remarkable geographic distribution. Most of the described species are restricted to the Caspian Sea, the Aral Sea, and peripheral areas of the Black Sea, including the Sea of Azov--all remnants of the Eastern Paratethys. The remaining onychopods are either freshwater inhabitants or marine animals, widespread in the world oceans. We present molecular evidence for a sister group relationship between Haplopoda and Onychopoda within the Cladocera. The Onychopoda and its three families are monophyletic. We suggest an independent invasion into the Ponto-Caspian basin at least three times, twice originating in the palearctic freshwater bodies and once starting from the world oceans.
Richter
S
S
Vergleichende Zoologie, Institut für Biologie, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Philippstr. 13, 10115 Berlin, Germany.
Braband
A
A
Aladin
N
N
Scholtz
G
G
D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D003621:Daphnia / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics*; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D005843:Geography; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010802:Phylogeny; D012335:RNA, Ribosomal / Q000235:genetics*; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D012689:Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid
D012335:RNA, Ribosomal; C075526:RNA, ribosomal, 12S; D004247:DNA