Phylogeny and diversification of bryozoans

• DOI: 10.1111/pala.12170
• Publication Date: 2015-05-11T09:51:46Z
• Authors: Paul D. Taylor; Andrea Waeschenbach
• Keywords: Bryozoa; Monophyly; Sister group

Abstract Although only a small fraction of the estimated 6000 extant bryozoan species has been analysed in molecular phylogenetic context, resultant trees have increased our understanding interrelationships between major groups, as well bryozoans and other metazoan phyla. Molecular systematic analyses failed to recover L ophophorata monophyletic clade until recently, when phylogenomic data placed B rachiopoda sister formed by P horonida + ryozoa. Among bryozoans, class hylactolaemata shown be group G ymnolaemata S tenolaemata, corroborating earlier anatomical inferences. Despite persistent claims, there are no unequivocal C ambrian age: oldest stenolaemates from T remadocian hina. Stenolaemates underwent radiation during O rdovician, but relationships six orders involved poorly understood, mostly because simple plastic skeletons make difficult. Bryozoans were hard‐hit mass extinction/s late ermian it was not M iddle J urassic that they began rediversify, initially through cyclostome stenolaemates. The most successful post‐ alaeozoic order ( heilostomata) evolved calcareous skeleton de novo soft‐bodied ancestor ate urassic, maintained low diversity mid‐ retaceous then radiate explosively. A remarkable range morphological structures form highly modified zooidal polymorphs, or non‐zooidal intrazooidal modular elements, is postulated repeatedly this group. Crucially, many these linked micropredator protection can interpreted key traits diversification cheilostomes.