Phylogeny and cladistic classification of terrestrial nemerteans: the genera Pantinonemertes Moore & Gibson and Geonemertes Semper

Evolutionary relationships among seven species from two genera ( Pantinonemertes and Geonemertes ) of terrestrial nemerteans (phylum Nemertea) were estimated by a Wagner analysis of 27 morphological, ecological and life history characters. Pantinonemertes was found to be a paraphyletic taxon, and it is suggested that this genus should be combined with Geonemertes to form a monophyletic group. A previous hypothesis for how terrestrial nemerteans evolved is discussed and compared to the results of the cladistic analysis. This suggests that terrestrial and semi-terrestrial species evolved from a marine ancestor; the upper littoral and marine environments have been recolonized by descendants from a terrestrial ancestor.