Combining target DNA enrichment and morphology to understand the evolution of Dexiarchia (Nudibranchia, Heterobranchia, Gastropoda, Mollusca)

• Applicants: Dr. Alexander Donath; Professorin Dr. Heike Wägele
• Subject Area: Evolution, Anthropology
• Term: from 2017 to 2021
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 384170056

Heterobranch Gastropoda (Mollusca), comprise a heterogeneous group of predominantly terrestrial forms (Pulmonata), but also with many different marine taxa, including the biggest marine group, the Nudibranchia, with at least 4,000 species. Within the Nudibranchia, two monophyletic subtaxa are generally distinguished: Euctenidiacea (= Anthobranchia) and Dexiarchia (Cladobranchia + Doridoxa). Dexiarchia comprises at least 2,000 species with many additional species still undescribed. Currently, 34 families with nearly 100 different genera are recognized. There exist no phylogenetic analyses of Dexiarchia that comprises all major families and corroborates relationships within this group. We want to investigate this long standing problem by exploiting already extracted DNA and preserved material for target DNA enrichment of single-copy protein-coding genes and combining the results with morphological analyses. Resulting phylogenetic hypotheses will form the base for the investigation of the evolution of this highly diverse group with extraordinary biological phenomena. It will be the first time that both techniques - molecular markers and morphological features - will be combined to help resolving some of the incongruences in our current understanding of marine heterobranch evolution.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants