Remarks on the Composition of the Large Ciliate Class Kinetofragmophora de Puytorac et al., 1974, and Recognition of Several New Taxa Therein,with Emphasis on the Primitive Order Primociliatida N. Ord.*

With the realization that new data (especially ultrastructural) and new ideas are making necessary a major revision of the scheme of classification of the Ciliophora, several groups of ciliatologists are preparing treatises on the subject. The present paper is concerned with the composition of the large new class of ciliates, Kinetofragmophora de Puytorac et al., 1974, established very recently by the French group. Several new taxa, at ordinal and subordinal levels, are proposed for inclusion in that class, with special emphasis on the new order to contain the most primitive of extant species. Actions taken here are incorporated in a major review and revisory work of the author which is being published elsewhere. The class Kinetofragmophora, by far the largest of the 3 classes now recognized as comprising the whole phylum Ciliophora, is itself considered to contain 4 sizeable subclasses and to embrace a total of 13 orders and 14 suborders. Two orders and 6 suborders are named and described here as new, enumerated and briefly identified as follows: Order Primociliatida n. ord., for the most “primitive” of gymnostomes, with three new suborders— Homokaryotina n. subord., for the homokaryotic genus Stephanopogon; Karyorelictina n. subord., for a number of mostly interstitial ciliates which, though heterokaryotic, possess nondividing, diploid macronuclei (e.g. Trachelocerca, Trachelonema, and Tracheloraphis); and Prorodontina n. subord., for a group of relatively specialized formerly “rhabdophorine” gymnostomes such as Coleps, Placus, and Prorodon and order Haptorida n. ord., for rapacious carnivorous forms, formerly lumped with the preceding groups as “rhabdophorines,” many with oral toxicysts and well developed thigmotactic ciliature (e.g. Actinobolina, Didinium, Dileptus, Enchelys, Spathidium, and Trachelius). All foregoing taxa are members of the 1st kinetofragmophoran subclass, the Gymnostomata. In the taxonomic conclusions drawn, new significance is placed on ultrastructural data, on macronuclear differences of evolutionary importance, and on habitat and behavior. A brief review of the literature on psammophilous ciliates is presented. In the subclass Vestibulifera is now located the order Entodiniomorphida Reichenow, a group formerly considered to be a spirotrich taxon. A suborder, Blepharocorythina n. subord., is proposed to contain the old “trichostome” family Blepharocorythidae, species commensalistic in horses and ruminants and now—with their syncilia, etc.—considered ancestral to the ophryoscolecids and relatives. In the subclass Hypostomata, order Nassulida, the suborder Paranassulina n. subord. is established to contain nassulids which appear more highly evolved than Nassula itself (e.g. Paranassula and Enneameron) in perioral ciliature, mode of stomatogenesis, etc. In the enigmatic and still vexatious order Rhynchodida, the suborder Aneistrocomina n. subord. is erected to embrace rhynchodid genera with an anteriorly located sucking tentacle (and other unique characteristics)—for example, Ancistrocoma, Crebricoma, Holocoma, and Sphenophrya. With the banishment of the bulk of the old “thigmotrichs” to the oligohymenophoran order Scuticociliatida, the ancistrocomines are left with the family Hypocomidae (and relatives) in the order Rhynchodida. It is not yet clear, however, how closely related the 2 suborders of rhynchodids should be considered. Special nomenclatural problems are also involved.     

Sapindales: molecular delimitation and infraordinal groups

An analysis of rbcL sequence data for representatives of families of putative sapindalean/rutalean affinity identified a robust clade of core “sapindalean” taxa that is sister to representatives of Malvales. The constitution of this clade approximates the broad concept of Sapindales (sensu Cronquist). Five lineages within the order are recognized: a “rutaceae” clade (Rutaceae, Cneoraceae, Ptaeroxylaceae, Simaroubaceae sensu stricto, and Meliaceae); a “sapindaceae” clade (Sapindaceae, Aceraceae, and Hippocastenaceae); Anacardiaceae plus Burseraceae; Kirkiaceae; and Zygophyllaceae pro parte. Relationships among these groups were only weakly resolved, but there was no support for the recognition of the two more narrowly defined orders, Rutales and Sapindales sensu stricto. Several families that have previously been allied to Sapindales or Rutales show no affinity to the core sapindalean taxa identified with the molecular data, and are excluded from the order: viz. Akaniaceae, Bretschneideraceae, Conneraceae, Coriariaceae, Melianthaceae, Meliosmaceae, Physenaceae, Rhabdodrendraceae, Sabiaceae, Staphyleaceae, Stylobasiaceae, Surianaceae, and Zygophyllaceae sensu stricto.     

18S rDNA phylogeny of Clitellata (Annelida)

The phylogeny of Clitellata was analysed using 18S rDNA sequences of a selection of species representing Hirudinida, Acanthobdellida, Branchiobdellida and 10 oligochaetous families. Eleven new 18S sequences of Capilloventridae (one), Haplotaxidae (one), Propappidae (one), Enchytraeidae (two), Lumbricidae (one), Almidae (one), Megascolecidae (two), Lumbriculidae (one), and Phreodrilidae (one) are reported and aligned together with corresponding sequences of 28 previously studied clitellate taxa. Twelve polychaete species were used as an outgroup. The analysis supports an earlier hypothesis based on morphological features that Capilloventridae represents a basal clade of Clitellata; in the 18S tree it shows a sister-group relationship to all other clitellates. The remaining clitellate taxa form a basal dichotomy, one clade containing Tubificidae (including the former 'Naididae'), Phreodrilidae, Haplotaxidae, and Propappidae, the other clade with two subgroups: (1) Lumbriculidae together with all leech-like taxa (Acanthobdellida, Branchiobdellida and Hirudinida), and (2) Enchytraeidae together with a monophyletic group of all earthworms included in the study (Lumbricidae, Almidae and Megascolecidae). These earthworms are members of the taxon Crassiclitellata, the monophyly of which is thus supported by the data. The tree also shows support for the hypothesis that the first clitellates were aquatic. The position of the single species representing Haplotaxidae is not as basal as could have been expected from earlier morphology-based conclusions about the ancestral status of this family. However, if Haplotaxidae is indeed a paraphyletic assemblage of relict taxa, a higher number of representatives will be needed to resolve its exact relationships with the other clitellates.     

Modern conceptions concerning the macrophylogeny of acariform mites (Chelicerata,Acariformes)

Modern conceptions concerning the macrophylogeny of acariform mites assumed during the last thirty years are summarized. Arguments supporting the hypothesis assuming the monophyly of mite taxa of higher taxonomic ranks (above the superfamily level) are discussed. The main unsolved problems of the phylogeny of the order Acariformes are mentioned. A new provisional classification of the order Acariformes for the taxa ranking from the suborder to the superfamily is proposed.     

THE ORIGIN OF AN ORGAN: PHYLOGENETIC ANALYSIS OF EVOLUTIONARY INNOVATION IN THE DIGESTIVE TRACT OF FLIES (INSECTA: DIPTERA)

The cardia, a prominent digestive tract organ consisting of several specialized cell types, occurs throughout the “higher” or muscoid flies, division Schizophora of order Diptera. Phylogenetic analysis of cellular organization in 65 insect species from 36 families indicates that this organ originated within the order Diptera from ancestrally undifferentiated tissues. “Lower” flies, suborder “Nematocera,” display little or no epithelial cell specialization at the corresponding site. Scorpionflies of the outgroup order Mecoptera are similarly unspecialized. Intermediate levels of cellular specialization occur in Tabanomorpha, Asilomorpha and Aschiza, dipteran taxa that diverge between “Nematocera” and Schizophora. The distribution of epithelial characteristics suggests that the cardia evolved through a sequence of simple tissue transformations, combining changes in epithelial configuration with local differentiation of cell structure and function. The evolution of locally specialized cell types implies the emergence of structural genes and regulatory mechanisms through the modification of an ancestral genome that had not supported such extensive differentiation. Comparison of localized gene expression in Drosophila melanogaster with that in other fly species having greater or lesser degrees of cell specialization may provide a practical model system for studying specific patterns of mutation associated with such evolutionary innovation.     

Evolutionary relationships among scyphozoan jellyfish families based on complete taxon sampling and phylogenetic analyses of 18S and 28S ribosomal DNA

A stable phylogenetic hypothesis for families within jellyfish class Scyphozoa has been elusive. Reasons for the lack of resolution of scyphozoan familial relationships include a dearth of morphological characters that reliably distinguish taxa and incomplete taxonomic sampling in molecular studies. Here, we address the latter issue by using maximum likelihood and Bayesian methods to reconstruct the phylogenetic relationships among all 19 currently valid scyphozoan families, using sequence data from two nuclear genes: 18S and 28S rDNA. Consistent with prior morphological hypotheses, we find strong evidence for monophyly of subclass Discomedusae, order Coronatae, rhizostome suborder Kolpophorae and superfamilies Actinomyariae, Kampylomyariae, Krikomyariae, and Scapulatae. Eleven of the 19 currently recognized scyphozoan families are robustly monophyletic, and we suggest recognition of two new families pending further analyses. In contrast to long-standing morphological hypotheses, the phylogeny shows coronate family Nausithoidae, semaeostome family Cyaneidae, and rhizostome suborder Daktyliophorae to be nonmonophyletic. Our analyses neither strongly support nor strongly refute monophyly of order Rhizostomeae, superfamily Inscapulatae, and families Ulmaridae, Catostylidae, Lychnorhizidae, and Rhizostomatidae. These taxa, as well as familial relationships within Coronatae and within rhizostome superfamily Inscapulatae, remain unclear and may be resolved by additional genomic and taxonomic sampling. In addition to clarifying some historically difficult taxonomic questions and highlighting nodes in particular need of further attention, the molecular phylogeny presented here will facilitate more robust study of phenotypic evolution in the Scyphozoa, including the evolution characters associated with mass occurrences of jellyfish.     

A molecular phylogeny of heterodont bivalves (Mollusca: Bivalvia: Heterodonta): new analyses of 18S and 28S rRNA genes

A new molecular phylogeny is presented for the highly diverse, bivalve molluscan subclass Heterodonta. The study, the most comprehensive for heterodonts to date, used new sequences of 18S and 28S rRNA genes for 103 species from 49 family groups with species of Palaeoheterodonta (Trigoniidae, Margaritiferidae and Unionidae) as outgroups. Results confirm previous analyses that the Carditidae/Astartidae/Crassatellidae clade is basal to all other heterodonts including Anomalodesmata (often classified as a separate subclass or order). Thyasiroidea occupy a near basal position between the Crassatelloidea and Anomalodesmata. Lucinidae form a well‐supported monophyletic group distinct from Thyasiridae and Ungulinidae. The Solenoidea and Hiatelloidea link as sister groups distant from the Tellinoidea and Myoidea, respectively, where they had been previously associated. The position of the Gastrochaenidae is unstable but does not group with myoidean taxa. Species of four families of Galeommatoidea form a clade that also includes Sportellidae of the Cyamioidea. The Cardioidea and Tellinoidea form highly supported, long branched, individual clades but group as sister taxa. A major clade including Veneroidea, Mactroidea, Myoidea and other families is given the unranked name Neoheterodontei. There is no support for a separate order Myoida (Myoidea and Pholadoidea). Dreissenidae group within the clade including Myidae, Corbulidae, Pholadidae and Teredinidae. The Corbiculoidea is confirmed as polyphyletic with the Sphaeriidae and Corbiculidae forming separate clades within the Neoheterodontei; Corbiculidae grouping with the Glauconomidae. Hemidonacidae are unrelated to the Cardiidae, as previously proposed, but nest within the Neoheterodontei. The Gaimardiidae group near to the Ungulinidae and not with Cyamioidea where most recently classified. The family Ungulinidae, previously classified in the Lucinoidea, forms a well‐supported clade within the Neoheterodontei and is elevated to superfamily rank — Ungulinoidea. The monophyletic status of Glossoidea, Arcticoidea and Veneroidea is unconfirmed. A brief review of the fossil record of the heterodonts indicates that the basal clades of Crassatelloidea, Anomalodesmata and Lucinoidea diverged very early in the Lower Palaeozoic. Other groups such as the Hiatelloidea, Solenoidea, Gastrochaenidae probably were of late Palaeozoic origins. The Cardioidea and Tellinoidea originated in the Triassic while major groups of Neoheterodontei radiated in the Late Mesozoic. The phylogenetic position of the Thyasiroidea and Galeommatoidea suggests a longer fossil history than has so far been recognized.     

Corallite wall and septal microstructure in scleractinian reef corals: Comparison of molecular clades within the family Faviidae

Recent molecular phylogenies conflict with traditional scleractinian classification at ranks ranging from suborder to genus, challenging morphologists to discover new characters that better agree with molecular data. Such characters are essential for including fossils in analyses and tracing evolutionary patterns through geologic time. We examine the skeletal morphology of 36 species belonging to the traditional families Faviidae, Merulinidae, Pectiniidae, and Trachyphylliidae (3 Atlantic, 14 Indo‐Pacific, 2 cosmopolitan genera) at the macromorphological, micromorphological, and microstructural levels. Molecular analyses indicate that the families are not monophyletic groups, but consist of six family‐level clades, four of which are examined [clade XV = Diploastrea heliopora; clade XVI = Montastraea cavernosa; clade XVII (“Pacific faviids”) = Pacific faviids (part) + merulinids (part) + pectiniids (part) + M. annularis complex; clade XXI (“Atlantic faviids”) = Atlantic faviids (part) + Atlantic mussids]. Comparisons among molecular clades indicate that micromorphological and microstructural characters (singly and in combination) are clade diagnostic, but with two exceptions, macromorphologic characters are not. The septal teeth of “Atlantic faviids” are paddle‐shaped (strong secondary calcification axes) or blocky, whereas the septal teeth of “Pacific faviids” are spine‐shaped or multidirectional. Corallite walls in “Atlantic faviids” are usually septothecal, with occasional trabeculothecal elements; whereas corallite walls in “Pacific faviids” are usually trabeculothecal or parathecal or they contain abortive septa. Exceptions include subclades of “Pacific faviids” consisting of a) Caulastraea and Oulophyllia (strong secondary axes) and b) Cyphastrea (septothecal walls). Diploastrea has a diagnostic synapticulothecal wall and thick triangular teeth; Montastraea cavernosa is also distinct, possessing both “Pacific faviid” (abortive septa) and “Atlantic faviid” (paddle‐shaped teeth) attributes. The development of secondary axes is similar in traditional Atlantic faviids and mussids, supporting molecular results placing them in the same clade. Subclades of “Pacific faviids” reveal differences in wall structure and the arrangement and distinctiveness of centers of rapid accretion. J. Morphol. 272:66–88, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Ordinal-level evolution in the Blastoidea

Review of the phylogeny of the blastoids suggests that the spiraculate condition is an evolutionary grade rather than a clade. Fissiculate blastoids evolved into spiraculates in at least five separate lineages. Four origins are given ordinal status based on thecal shapes and spiracular, deltoidal, and ambulacral morphologies. The fifth order is recognized, but remains unnamed pending taxonomic revision of the taxa involved. We herein recognize the Troosticrinida (a Silurian transition), Nucleocrinida, Granatocrinida, and the Pentremitida (all Devonian transitions), and an unnamed order based on' Pentrernoblastus' ovalis that evolved in the earliest part of the Lower Carboniferous. □ Echinodermata, Blastoidea, phylogeny, evolution.     

Bony labyrinth morphology in early neopterygian fishes (Actinopterygii: Neopterygii)

Endocasts of the osseous labyrinth have the potential to yield information about both phylogenetic relationships and ecology. Although bony labyrinth morphology is well documented in many groups of fossil vertebrates, little is known for early Neopterygii, the major fish radiation containing living teleosts, gars and the bowfin. Here, we reconstruct endocasts of the bony labyrinth and associated structures for a sample of Mesozoic neopterygian fishes using high‐resolution computed tomography. Our sample includes taxa unambiguously assigned to either the teleost (Dorsetichthys, “Pholidophorus,” Elopoides) and holostean (“Aspidorynchus,” “Caturus,” Heterolepidotus) total‐groups, as well as examples of less certain phylogenetic position (an unnamed parasemionotid and Dapedium). Our models provide a test of anatomical interpretations for forms where bony labyrinths were reconstructed based on destructive tomography (“Caturus”) or inspection of the lateral wall of the cranial chamber (Dorsetichthys), and deliver the first detailed insights on inner ear morphology in the remaining taxa. With respect to relationships, traits apparent in the bony labyrinth and associated structures broadly support past phylogenetic hypotheses concerning taxa agreed to have reasonably secure systematic placements. Inner ear morphology supports placement of Dapedium with holosteans rather than teleosts, while preserved structure in the unnamed parasemionotid is generalized to the degree that it provides no evidence of close affinity with either of the crown neopterygian lineages. This study provides proof‐of‐concept for the systematic utility of the inner ear in neopterygians that, in combination with similar findings for earlier‐diverging actinopterygian lineages, points to the substantial potential of this anatomical system for addressing the longstanding questions in the relationships of fossil ray‐finned fishes to one another and living groups. J. Morphol. 279:426–440, 2018. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Further insights into the highly derived haptorids (Ciliophora,Litostomatea): Phylogeny based on multigene data

Evolutionary relationships of taxa within the ciliate subclass Haptoria are poorly understood. In this study, we broaden the taxon sampling by adding 14 small subunit ribosomal RNA gene sequences, 13 large subunit ribosomal RNA gene sequences and 13 ITS1‐5.8S‐ITS2 gene sequences of haptorians. This includes the first molecular data from two genera, Pseudotrachelocerca Song, 1990, and Foissnerides Song & Wilbert, 1989. Phylogenies inferred from the three individual genes and concatenated data sets show that: (i) the subclass Haptoria could be a multiphyletic complex with about up to four main clades while “interrupted” by some intermingled with the related subclasses Rhynchostomatia, Trichostomatia and some incertae sedis; (ii) the genus Pseudotrachelocerca Song, 1990, is clearly separated from Litostomatea and clusters within an assemblage comprising the classes Prostomatea, Colpodea and Plagiopylea; (iii) both morphological evidence and molecular evidence indicate that the genus Foissnerides should be transferred from family Trachelophyllidae to Pseudoholophryidae; (iv) the validity of the order Helicoprorodontida Grain, 1994, and its monophyly is strongly supported; (5) the family Chaeneidae does not belong to the order Lacrymarida but represents a distinct clade in the subclass Haptoria.     

Mammalian superorders

The superordinal level can be used to great advantage in the taxonomy of mammals and other groups. Of the two cohorts of placental mammals, the Unguiculata is divided into six superorders: Archonta (Gregory's Archonta plus Lipotyphla), Glires, Ferae (including Delta-theridia and Carnivora), Paratheria (Edentata and Pholidota), Ganodonta, and an unnamed group for the Lagomorpha plus Anagalida. The cohort Ungulata is divided much as in Simpson (1945), with an additional superorder (Mutica) for the whales and with a superorder Amblypoda, separate from the Paenungulata, and corresponding to Romer's (1966) order of that name.     

SPERM WHALE PHYLOGENY REVISITED: ANALYSIS OF THE MORPHOLOGICAL EVIDENCE

Some recent analyses of three mitochondrial DNA regions suggest that sperm whales are the sister group to baleen whales and, therefore, the suborder Odontoceti (toothed whales) constitutes a paraphyletic group. I cladistically analyzed the available morphological data, including that from relevant fossil taxa, for all families of extant cetaceans to test this hypothesis. The results of this analysis unambiguously support a monophyletic Odontoceti including the sperm whales. All synapomorphies that support the Odontoceti node are decisive, not related to the evolution of highly correlated characters, and provide the same result regardless of what order of mammals is used as an outgroup. These numerous, anatomically diverse, and unambiguous characters make this clade one of the best-supported higher-level groupings among mammals. In addition, the fossil evidence refutes a sperm whale/baleen whale clade. Both the molecular and morphological data produce the same unrooted tree. The improper rooting of the molecular tree appears to be producing these seemingly incongruent phylogenies.     

Phylogeny of Myrmeleontiformia based on larval morphology (Neuropterida: Neuroptera)

The suborder Myrmeleontiformia is a derived lineage of lacewings (Insecta: Neuroptera) including the families Psychopsidae, Nemopteridae, Nymphidae, Ascalaphidae and Myrmeleontidae. In particular, Myrmeleontidae (antlions) are the most diverse neuropteran family, representing a conspicuous component of the insect fauna of xeric environments. We present the first detailed quantitative phylogenetic analysis of Myrmeleontiformia, based on 107 larval morphological and behavioural characters for 36 genera whose larvae are known (including at least one representative of all the subfamilies of the suborder). Four related families were used as outgroups to polarize character states. Phylogenetic analyses were conducted using both parsimony and Bayesian methods. The reconstructions resulting from our analyses corroborate the monophyly of Myrmeleontiformia. Within this clade, Psychopsidae are recovered as the sister family to all the remaining taxa. Nemopteridae (including both subfamilies Nemopterinae and Crocinae) are recovered as monophyletic and sister to the clade comprising Nymphidae + (Myrmeleontidae + Ascalaphidae). Nymphidae consist of two well‐supported clades corresponding to the subfamilies Nymphinae and Myiodactylinae. Our results suggest that Ascalaphidae may not be monophyletic, as they collapse into an unresolved polytomy under the Bayesian analysis. In addition, the recovered phylogenetic relationships diverge from the traditional classification scheme for ascalaphids. Myrmeleontidae are reconstructed as monophyletic, with the subfamilies Stilbopteryginae, Palparinae and Myrmeleontinae. We retrieved a strongly supported clade comprising taxa with a fossorial habit of the preimaginal instars, which represents a major antlion radiation, also including the monophyletic pit‐trap building species.     

Impact of increased character sampling on the phylogeny of Cetartiodactyla (Mammalia): combined analysis including fossils

The phylogenetic position of Cetacea (whales, dolphins and porpoises) is an important exemplar problem for combined data parsimony analyses because the clade is ancient and includes many well‐known and relatively complete fossil species. We combined data for 71 terminal taxa (43 extinct/28 extant) to test where Cetacea fits within Cetartiodactyla, and where various fossil hoofed mammals (e.g., ?entelodonts, “?anthracotheriids” and ?mesonychians) are positioned. We scored 635 phenotypic characters (osteology, dentition, soft tissue, behavior), approximately three times the number of characters in the last major analysis of this clade, and combined these with > 40 000 molecular characters, including new data from 10 genes. The analysis supported a topology consistent with the majority of recently published molecular studies. Cetacea was the extant sister taxon of Hippopotamidae, followed successively by Ruminantia, Suina and Camelidae. Several extinct taxa were phylogenetically unstable, upsetting resolution of the strict consensus and limiting branch support, but the positions of several key fossils were consistently resolved. The wholly extinct ?Mesonychia was more closely related to Cetacea than was any “artiodactylan.”“?Anthracotheriids” were paraphyletic, and, with the exception of one species, were more closely related to Hippopotamidae than to any other living taxon. The total evidence analysis overturned a highly nested position for Moschus supported by molecular data alone. The character partition that could be scored for the fossil taxa (osteological and dental characters) included more informative characters than most molecular partitions in our analysis, and had the fewest missing data. The osteological–dental data alone, however, did not support inclusion of cetaceans within crown “Artiodactyla.” Recently discovered ankle bones from fossil whales reinforced the monophyly of Cetartiodactyla but provided no particular evidence of derived similarities between hippopotamids and fossil cetaceans that were not shared with other “artiodactylans”. © The Willi Hennig Society 2007.     

The road to the Janiroidea: Comparative morphology and evolution of the asellote isopod crustaceans

This paper presents a new phylogenetic estimate of isopod crustaceans of the suborder Asellota with the aim of clarifying the evolution of the superfamily Janiroidea, a large and diverse group inhabiting all aqueous habitats. The phylogenetic analysis is based on a morphological evaluation of characters used in past classifications, as well as several new characters. The evolutionary polarity of the characters was determined by outgroup analysis. The characters employed were from the pleopods, the copulatory organs, the first walking legs, and the cephalon. The resulting character data set was analyzed with numerical phylogenetic computer programs to find one most parsimonious clado-gram, which is translated into a classification using the sequencing convention. The new phylogenetic estimate is significantly more parsimonious than previous trees from the literature, and several of its monophyletic groups have robust confidence limits. The superfamily Stenetrioidea belongs to the clade including the Janiroidea, not with the Aselloidea as previously suggested. The sister group of the Janiroidea is the family Pseudojaniridae, which is elevated to superfamily rank. The clade including the families Gnathostenetroididae and Protojaniridae is not the sister group of the Janiroidea, and is derived earlier in janiroidean evolution than the Stenetrioidea. Within the Janiroidea, the family Janiridae is not the most primitive taxon as previously believed. The clade including the families Munnidae and Pleurocopidae contains the earliest derived janiroideans. The data also indicate that the unusual sexual morphology of the Janiroidea did not appear suddenly but developed as a series of independent steps within the Asellota.     

Cephalic anatomy and three-dimensional reconstruction of the head of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Catops ventricosus</Emphasis> (Weise, 1877) (Coleoptera: Leiodidae: Cholevinae)

Adult head structures are well known in the coleopteran suborders Archostemata and Adephaga, whereas the available information is very fragmentary in the megadiverse Polyphaga, including the successful superfamily Staphylinoidea. In the present study, the cephalic morphology of the cholevine species Catops ventricosus is described in detail and documented. The results were compared to conditions occurring in other polyphagan lineages, especially staphylinoid and scarabaeoid representatives. Specific external features documented in Catops and potential autapomorphies of Leiodidae include a five-segmented antennal club with a reduced eighth antennomere and the presence of periarticular grooves filled with sensilla on antennomeres 7, 9, and 10. The firm connection of the head and pronotum is possibly an apomorphy of Cholevinae. The monophyly of Cholevinae excluding Eucatopini and Oritocatopini is supported by the apical maxillary palpomere as long as or shorter than the subapical one, and the presence of cryptic pore plates on the surface of these palpomeres—a feature described and documented here for the first time. The internal cephalic structures of Catops are mostly plesiomorphic, as for instance the complete tentorium. The pattern of the muscles is similar to what is found in other staphylinoid taxa. The unusual maxillary muscle “Mx” is likely a groundplan apomorphy of the clade Staphyliniformia?+?Scarabaeoidea. M. hypopharyngomandibularis (M13) was identified in Catops and is ancestral for Coleoptera, even though it is often missing. The same applies to M. tentoriohypopharyngalis (M42).     

A phylogeny of fossil and living neocoleoid cephalopods

Coleoid cephalopod phylogeny is well studied via both molecular and morphological data, yet although some agreement has been reached (e.g. that extant Decapodiformes and Octopoda are monophyletic) many details remain poorly resolved. Fossil coleoids, for which much data exists, have hitherto not been incorporated into analyses. Their inclusion is highly desirable for the support of neontological phylogenies, to better reconstruct character‐state histories, and to investigate the placement of the fossil groups themselves. In this study we present and analyse a morphological data matrix including both extinct and extant taxa. Homology assumptions in our data are discussed. Our results are presented both with and without the constraint of a monophyletic Decapodiformes imposed. When analysed with this constraint our results are strikingly congruent with those from molecular phylogeny, for instance placing Idiosepius in a basal position within Decapodiformes, and recovering Oegopsida and Bathyteuthoidea (although as grades). Our results support an Octopodiformes clade (“vampire squid” Vampyroteuthis as sister to Octopoda) and an octopodiform interpretation for most fossil coleoids. They suggest the fossil sister taxon to the octopods to be Plesioteuthididae. Most fossil higher taxa are supported, although many genera, especially within suborder Teudopseina, appear para‐ or polyphyletic.     

ABSORPTION OF HERBICIDES BY ROOTS

Crafts , A. S., and S. Yamaguchi . (U. California, Davis.) Absorption of herbicides by roots. Amer. Jour. Bot. 47(4): 248—255. Illus. 1960.—Many herbicides are used through soil. When 2,4-D*² was applied to culture-solution barley, bean, cotton, and Zebrina plants, there was evidence that the herbicide is held at high concentration by the roots. Very little of the labeled compound moved into the tops of barley, Zebrina and bean; a fair quantity was found in cotton foliage. Barley seedlings allowed to absorb 2,4-D*, ATA*, MH*, urea*, monuron*, dalapon*, simazin*, P³² and IAA* showed interesting differences. All chemicals were highly sorbed by roots, 2,4-D* was moved to tops in least amount, urea was next; the other seven were moved in larger quantities. ATA*, MH*, IAA*, P³², and dalapon* seemed readily phloem mobile; monuron* and simazin* seemed limited to xylem movement. Results are discussed in relation to the mechanism of root uptake.