Origin and evolution of the major lineages of Bryozoa: Nuclear rDNA based high-level phylogeny of Stenolaemata, Gymnolaemata and Phylactolaemata

• Applicant: Professorin Dr. Priska Schäfer
• Subject Area: Palaeontology
• Term: from 2008 to 2011
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 51278094

Bryozoa are a poorly understood animal group despite their huge palaeontologic record and the modern presence of all main lineages. Molecular phylogenetics has scarcely begun to elucidate the phylum due to the absence of well-working methods. Recently, we have established and preliminary tested a method allowing the amplification of 1500 bp fragments of 18S rDNA and 900 bp of 28S rDNA of marine bryozoans. The aim is to elucidate the origin and evolution of all tree main groups of marine Bryozoa (Cyclostomata, Ctenostomata and Cheilostomata) using 18S and 28S rDNA sequences in combination with paleontologic data. Additionally, freshwater Bryozoa (Phylactolaemata) will be included in the analyses. Molecular clock hypothesis will be applied to roughly estimate times of divergence in Bryozoa and to test several hypotheses, basic for understanding bryozoan evolution.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants