Bio-Omnes-Scientes

  What are the taxonomic characteristics and evolutionary relationships among different arthropod classes based on morphological and molecular evidence? Morphological and molecular evidence converge to support Mandibulata (Myriapoda plus Pancrustacea) as a major arthropod clade, with Pancrustacea uniting Hexapoda and three paraphyletic crustacean lineages (Oligostraca, Vericrustacea, and Xenocarida), where Xenocarida represents the sister group to insects and pycnogonids form the most basal euarthropod lineage. Abstract Two comprehensive phylogenetic analyses of arthropod relationships reveal consistent support for major evolutionary groupings despite differences in analytical scope and methodology. Both studies strongly support Pancrustacea, uniting terrestrial insects (Hexapoda) with aquatic crustaceans, and Mandibulata, grouping myriapods with pancrustaceans rather than with chelicerates. The traditional taxonomic group Crustacea is confirmed to be paraphyletic with respect to H...