Diurodrilus is a genus of tiny marine animals that has traditionally been assigned to the annelid worms, although this affinity is not certain. With a maximum length of 0.45 mm, it has an unusual morphology with many traits not found in other annelids, including a ventral creeping foot.[1][2] Analyses of DNA have both refuted and supported placement within the annelids,[2][3] with the unusual morphology perhaps due to evolutionary progenesis, in which organisms develop sexual maturity while retaining the larval traits of their ancestors.[3]

Diurodrilus
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Superphylum:
Phylum:
Family:
Diurodrilidae

Kristensen & Niilonen, 1982
Genus:
Diurodrilus

Remane, 1925
Type species
Diurodrilus minimus
Remane, 1925
Species
  • D. minimus Remane, 1925
  • D. ankeli Ax, 1967
  • D. benazzii Gerlach, 1953
  • D. dohrni Gerlach, 1952
  • D. subterraneus Remane, 1934
  • D. westheidei Kristensen & Niilonen, 1982

The following species are recognised:[2][4]

References

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  1. ^ Kristensen, R. M.; Niilonen, T. (1982). "Structural Studies on Diurodrilus Remane (Diurodrilidae fam.n.), with Description of Diurodrilus westheidei sp.n. From the Arctic Interstitial Meiobenthos, W. Greenland". Zoologica Scripta. 11: 1–12. doi:10.1111/j.1463-6409.1982.tb00514.x. S2CID 84404993.
  2. ^ a b c Katrine Worsaae & Greg W. Rouse; Rouse (2008). "Is Diurodrilus an annelid?". Journal of Morphology. 269 (12): 1426–1455. doi:10.1002/jmor.10686. PMID 18985766. S2CID 43708549.
  3. ^ a b Golombek, Anja; Tobergte, Sarah; Nesnidal, Maximilian P.; Purschke, Günter; Struck, Torsten H. (2013). "Mitochondrial genomes to the rescue – Diurodrilidae in the myzostomid trap". Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 68 (2): 312–326. doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2013.03.026. PMID 23563272.
  4. ^ Kristian Fauchald & Gérard Bellan (2012). Read G, Fauchald K (eds.). "Diurodrilus Remane, 1925". World Polychaeta database. World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved September 12, 2012.