Molecular phylogeny of Scaphopoda (Mollusca) inferred from 18S rDNA sequences: support for a Scaphopoda–Cephalopoda clade

The phylogenetic relationships of the Scaphopoda, one of the 'lesser' molluscan classes, with the other conchiferan taxa are far from clear. They appear either as the sister-group to the Bivalvia (Diasoma concept) or to a Gastropoda–Cephalopoda clade or to the Cephalopoda alone (helcionellid concept). We compiled a 18S rDNA sequence dataset of 48 molluscan species containing 17 scaphopods to test these hypotheses and to address questions regarding high-level relationships with the Scaphopoda. Both parsimony and maximum likelihood trees show low branch support at the base of the Conchifera, except for the robust clade uniting Scaphopoda and Cephalopoda. This result is corroborated by spectral analysis and likelihood mapping. We also tested alternative topologies which scored significantly worse both in tree length and in likelihood. The 18S rDNA data thus reject the Diasoma in favour of a Scaphopoda–Cephalopoda clade as proposed in the helcionellid concept. When plotted on the molecular tree, the pivotal morphological characters associated with the burrowing life style of the Bivalvia and Scaphopoda, i.e. mantle/shell enclosure of the body and the burrowing foot with true pedal ganglia, appear convergent in these groups. In contrast, the prominent and tilted dorsoventral body axes, multiple cephalic tentacles and a ring-shaped muscle attachment on the shell are potential synapomorphies of Scaphopoda and Cephalopoda. Most of the higher taxa within the Scaphopoda are supported by the molecular data. However, there is no support for the families Dentaliidae and Gadilidae. The basal position of the Fustiariidae within the Dentaliida is confirmed.