Preliminary cladistic analysis of genera of the cestode order Trypanorhyncha Diesing, 1863

Abstract

A preliminary cladistic analysis was carried out on the 49 currently recognized genera of the order Trypanorhyncha. Forty-four characters were analyzed; a functional outgroup was used for scolex and strobilar characters, while Nybelinia was utilized to polarize characters related to the rhyncheal system. Eight well-resolved clades were evident in the resultant cladogram, which is compared with existing phenetic classifications. An analysis of families resulted in a similar clustering of taxa to that observed in the case of the genera. The results suggest that two key characters used in existing classifications, namely the presence of sensory fossettes on the bothridia and the development of ..