Molecular phylogenetic analysis of the Microphalloidea Ward, 1901 (Trematoda: Digenea)
- V. Tkach, D. Littlewood, P. Olson, J. Kinsella, Z. Świderski
- BiologySystematic Parasitology
- 1 September 2003
It is demonstrated that the Microphalloidea, as represented by the present data-set, consists of three main clades corresponding to the families Lecithodendriidae, Microphallidae and Pleurogenidae + Prosthogonimidae.
Acoel flatworms: earliest extant bilaterian Metazoans, not members of Platyhelminthes.
- I. Ruiz-Trillo, M. Riutort, D. Littlewood, E. Herniou, J. Baguñá
- BiologyScience
- 19 March 1999
Sequence data of 18S ribosomal DNA genes from non-fast evolving species of acoels and other metazoans reveal that this group does not belong to the Platyhelminthes but represents the extant members of the earliest divergent Bilateria, an interpretation that is supported by recent studies on the embryonic cleavage pattern and nervous system of acOels.
Utility of complete large and small subunit rRNA genes in resolving the phylogeny of the Neodermata (Platyhelminthes): implications and a review of the cercomer theory
- A. Lockyer, P. Olson, D. Littlewood
- Biology
- 1 February 2003
The Monogenea and Proseriata were resolved as monophyletic, rejecting previous suggestions of paraphyly based on SSU and partial LSU data sets and thus supporting widely accepted morphological synapomorphies and highlighting problems associated with the ‘cercomer theory’.
The interrelationships of proseriata (Platyhelminthes: seriata) tested with molecules and morphology.
- D. Littlewood, M. Curini-Galletti, E. Herniou
- BiologyMolecular Phylogenetics and Evolution
- 1 September 2000
A new morphological matrix consisting of 16 putatively homologous characters and two molecular data sets to investigate further this major group of free-living members of the Platyhelminthes, where the monophyly of the Proseriata cannot be confirmed categorically with any of these data sets.
The interrelationships of all major groups of Platyhelminthes: phylogenetic evidence from morphology and molecules
- D. Littlewood, K. Rohde, K. A. Clough
- Biology
- 1999
It is stressed that morphological and molecular data in some respects lead to contradictory results, for instance concerning the position of the Fecampiidae/Urastoma/Ichthyophaga and the relative position ofThe Lecithoepitheliata.
The phylogeny of the Schistosomatidae based on three genes with emphasis on the interrelationships of Schistosoma Weinland, 1858
- A. Lockyer, P. Olson, D. Littlewood
- BiologyParasitology
- 1 March 2003
The principal findings are that Ornithobilharzia and AustrobilHarzia form a sister group to the Schistosoma; mammalian schistosomes appear paraphyletic and 2 TrichobilharZia species, T. ocellata and T. szidati, seem to be synonymous.
Phylogenies inferred from mitochondrial gene orders-a cautionary tale from the parasitic flatworms.
- T. Le, D. Blair, D. McManus
- BiologyMolecular biology and evolution
- 1 July 2000
Investigations on the mitochondrial genomes of two groups of human blood flukes within the genus Schistosoma revealed striking divergences in mitochondrial gene order, startled by the remarkable differences which came to light between the two groups.
Phylogeny of the Platyhelminthes and the evolution of parasitism
- D. Littlewood, K. Rohde, R. Bray, E. Herniou
- Biology
- 1 September 1999
The combined evidence solution for the phylogeny of fiatworms based on 18S rDNA and morphology is used to interpret morphological and life-history data and to support a model for the evolution and radiation of neodermatan parasites in the group.
Xenoturbella is a deuterostome that eats molluscs
- Sarah J. Bourlat, C. Nielsen, A. Lockyer, D. Littlewood, M. Telford
- Biology, Environmental ScienceNature
- 21 August 2003
It is shown that the samples in these studies were contaminated by bivalve embryos eaten by Xenoturbella and that XenOTurbella is in fact a deuterostome related to hemichordates and echinoderms.
Widespread vertical transmission and associated host sex–ratio distortion within the eukaryotic phylum Microspora
- R. S. Terry, J. Smith, A. Dunn
- BiologyProceedings of the Royal Society of London…
- 7 September 2004
Evidence is presented for widespread use of vertically transmitted microsporidia and associated sex–ratio distortion in a eukaryotic phylum and it is proposed that VT is either an ancestral trait or evolves with peculiar frequency in this phylum.
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