Phylogenetic analysis of the Brachyura (Crustacea, Decapoda) based on characters of the foregut with establishment of a new taxon |
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| Authors: | A Brösing S Richter and G Scholtz |
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| Institution: | Institut für Physik, Mikroreaktionstechnik, Technische Universität Ilmenau, Weimarer Str. 32, 98693 Ilmenau, Germany;;Institut für Spezielle Zoologie und Evolutionsbiologie mit Phyletischem Museum, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, Erbertstr. 1, 07743 Jena, Germany;;Institut für Biologie, Vergleichende Zoologie, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Philippstr. 13, D-10115 Berlin, Germany |
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| Abstract: | The Brachyura, within the decapod crustaceans, is one of the most species-rich taxa with up to 10 000 species. However, its phylogenetic history, evolution and fossil record remain subjects of controversy. In our study, we examined the phylogenetic relationships of the Brachyura based on morphological characters of the foregut. The cladistic analysis supports a monophyletic Brachyura including the Dromiidae and Raninidae. A clade comprising Dromiidae and Dynomenidae forms the most basal assemblage within the Brachyura, followed by the Homolidae and Latreilliidae. As a result, neither Podotremata nor Archaeobrachyura form a clade. In contrast, foregut data suggest that the classical taxon Oxystomata, comprising Calappidae, Parthenopidae, Dorippidae, Leucosiidae, Cymonomidae and Raninidae, is monophyletic. This makes the Heterotremata paraphyletic or polyphyletic. A newly established taxon, Neobrachyura, embraces some representatives of the Heterotremata and the monophyletic Thoracotremata. |
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| Keywords: | Phylogeny foregut ossicles Podotremata Heterotremata Neobrachyura Decapoda Crustacea |
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