Cladistic analysis of the subfamilies within the Tubificidae (Oligochaeta)

Abstract

A hypothesis of phylogenetic relationships within the family Tubificidae is presented, based on a Wagner analysis of morphological characters in the different subfamilies. Two major lincages are recognized. One, including the subfamilies Tubificinae, Telmatodrilinae and Limnodriloidinae, is supported by a synapomorphic ability to form slender spermatozeugmata in the spermathecae; the other, including Rhyacodrilinae (paraphyletic), Phallodrilinae, and the (present family) Naididae, is supported by two synapomorphics, the possession of modified penial setae and numerous coelomocytes (the latter secondarily lost in the Phallodrilinae). Some implications for the classification of the Tubificidae are discussed.