A taxonomic review and revisions of Microstomidae (Platyhelminthes: Macrostomorpha)

• Published in: PloS one Vol. 14; no. 4; p. e0212073
• Main Authors: Atherton, Sarah, Jondelius, Ulf
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Public Library of Science 24.04.2019; Public Library of Science (PLoS)
• Subjects: Animals; Biodiversity; Biology and Life Sciences; Computer and Information Sciences; Diversity of life; DNA taxonomy; DNA, Helminth - genetics; Earth Sciences; Ecology and Environmental Sciences; Flatworms; Gene sequencing; Genes; Genetic aspects; Livets mångfald; Medicine and Health Sciences; Meiofauna; Microstomatidae; Microstomidae; Morphology; New species; Phylogeny; Physical Sciences; Platyhelminthes; Platyhelminths - classification; Platyhelminths - genetics; Platyhelminths - physiology; Platyhelminths - ultrastructure; Reproduction; Taxonomy
• ISSN: 1932-6203; 1932-6203
• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0212073

Microstomidae (Platyhelminthes: Macrostomorpha) diversity has been almost entirely ignored within recent years, likely due to inconsistent and often old taxonomic literature and a general rarity of sexually mature collected specimens. Herein, we reconstruct the phylogenetic relationships of the group using both previously published and new 18S and CO1 gene sequences. We present some taxonomic revisions of Microstomidae and further describe 8 new species of Microstomum based on both molecular and morphological evidence. Finally, we briefly review the morphological taxonomy of each species and provide a key to aid in future research and identification that is not dependent on reproductive morphology. Our goal is to clarify the taxonomy and facilitate future research into an otherwise very understudied group of tiny (but important) flatworms.