The big, the small and the weird: A phylogenomic analysis of extant Priapulida DOI Creative Commons
Jan Raeker, Arianna Lord, María Herranz

et al.

Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 108297 - 108297

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

Priapulida is a small phylum of 22 described species that are divided into two size classes (microscopic and macroscopic), distinguished by adult larval morphology. Most priapulidans rare or live in inaccessible habitats, freshly collected material for molecular studies difficult to obtain. With this study, we the first time aim resolve phylogeny extant using transcriptomic, genomic, morphological data. We analyze six newly assembled transcriptomes alongside existing data, covering seven four genera. Additionally, include genomic data from museum-preserved species, adding another genus via low-coverage genome sequencing. Conserved regions these produce combined phylogenomic tree, augmented suggest positions taxa Acanthopriapulus Maccabeus. Our findings show microscopic Meiopriapulus consistently groups as sister taxon other not with Tubiluchus, suggested previous studies. Maccabeus, which exhibits both size-class characteristics, all macroscopic while Priapulus, but needed support their positions. Ancestral state reconstruction suggests body size, lack caudal appendages, internal fertilization ancestral traits Priapulida. This supports derived evolution group, aligning its Kinorhyncha Loricifera. Due diversity unique morphologies some further fossil potential discoveries priapulidan microfossils essential fully understand evolutionary history phylum.

Language: Английский

Exotic cuticular specializations in a Cambrian scalidophoran DOI Creative Commons
Giovanni Mussini, Nicholas J. Butterfield

Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 292(2040)

Published: Feb. 1, 2025

Scalidophora, the ecdysozoan group including priapulids, kinorhynchs and loriciferans, comprises some of most abundant ecologically important Cambrian animals. However, reconstructions morphology lifestyles fossil scalidophorans are often hampered by poor preservation their submillimetre-scale cuticular specializations. Based on exceptionally preserved small carbonaceous fossils (SCFs), we describe a new scalidophoran-grade animal, Scalidodendron crypticum gen. et sp. nov., from Early to Middle Hess River Formation northern Canada. The SCFs comprise pharyngeal teeth, coniform sclerites hook-like sclerites, all closely comparable known scalidophoran counterparts. recurrently associate with arborescent projections that show multiple orders branching, morphologically unlike those any living or scalidophoran. fine splintering inferred post-pharyngeal position these structures argue against locomotory, feeding defensive roles direct analogues in extant As such, denote previously cryptic range morphological variation scalidophorans, paralleling coeval panarthropods but expressed at fundamentally different level anatomical organization.

Language: Английский

Citations

2
A peritidal Burgess‐Shale‐type fauna from the middle Cambrian of western Canada DOI Creative Commons
Giovanni Mussini, Yorick P. Veenma, Nicholas J. Butterfield

et al.

Palaeontology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 68(1)

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

Abstract Burgess‐Shale‐type (BST) faunas have proven critical for mapping the Cambrian assembly of animal‐dominated ecosystems, but so far only been reported from fully subaqueous deposits. Here we integrate evidence ichnofossils, sedimentary features, and small carbonaceous fossils (SCFs) middle (Late Guzhangian, Series 3) Pika Formation western Jasper National Park, Alberta (Canada) to document a unique BST fauna, occupying peritidal habitat near outer margin large epicratonic sea. Finely laminated shales with mudcracks dumbbell‐shaped Arthraria ‐type burrows denote periodically emergent, dysoxic mudflat setting. This same facies yields SCF priapulids, annelids wiwaxiids typical deeper‐marine sediments. Recovery Cirratuliformia‐like annelid chaetae further identifies likely source associated faecal pellets. These findings show that marine metazoans, including probable members crown‐group orders, ranged beyond permanently The expanded palaeoenvironmental range taxa biota denotes remarkably broad ecological tolerances, suggesting existence guild metazoan generalists able colonize at least transiently subaerial settings. Their occupation offshore ecologies may preluded more extensive colonization high‐energy, siliciclastic marginal environments.

Language: Английский

Citations

2
The big, the small and the weird: A phylogenomic analysis of extant Priapulida DOI Creative Commons
Jan Raeker, Arianna Lord, María Herranz

et al.

Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 108297 - 108297

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

Priapulida is a small phylum of 22 described species that are divided into two size classes (microscopic and macroscopic), distinguished by adult larval morphology. Most priapulidans rare or live in inaccessible habitats, freshly collected material for molecular studies difficult to obtain. With this study, we the first time aim resolve phylogeny extant using transcriptomic, genomic, morphological data. We analyze six newly assembled transcriptomes alongside existing data, covering seven four genera. Additionally, include genomic data from museum-preserved species, adding another genus via low-coverage genome sequencing. Conserved regions these produce combined phylogenomic tree, augmented suggest positions taxa Acanthopriapulus Maccabeus. Our findings show microscopic Meiopriapulus consistently groups as sister taxon other not with Tubiluchus, suggested previous studies. Maccabeus, which exhibits both size-class characteristics, all macroscopic while Priapulus, but needed support their positions. Ancestral state reconstruction suggests body size, lack caudal appendages, internal fertilization ancestral traits Priapulida. This supports derived evolution group, aligning its Kinorhyncha Loricifera. Due diversity unique morphologies some further fossil potential discoveries priapulidan microfossils essential fully understand evolutionary history phylum.

Language: Английский

Citations

0