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Buddenbrockia is a cnidarian worm.
Eva Jiménez-Guri1, Hervé Philippe, Beth Okamura
1Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PS, UK.
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|July 7, 2007
Summary
Buddenbrockia plumatellae, a parasitic worm, has been phylogenetically identified as a cnidarian. This finding expands the known diversity of cnidarian body plans and wormlike forms.
Area of Science:
- Zoology
- Evolutionary Biology
- Parasitology
Background:
- The animal kingdom is broadly divided into radially and bilaterally symmetric organisms.
- Cnidarians (e.g., jellyfish) exhibit radial symmetry, while worm phyla display bilateral symmetry.
- The phylum Myxozoa contains simplified, microscopic endoparasites that are difficult to classify.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the phylogenetic placement of Buddenbrockia plumatellae, a parasitic worm.
- To investigate the evolutionary implications of its body plan within the animal kingdom.
Main Methods:
- Phylogenetic analyses were conducted using multiple protein-coding genes.
- Comparative analysis of body plans and symmetry was performed.
Main Results:
- Phylogenetic analyses conclusively placed Buddenbrockia plumatellae within the phylum Cnidaria.
- Buddenbrockia exhibits an active, muscular, wormlike form, challenging previous assumptions about cnidarian body plans.
Conclusions:
- Buddenbrockia plumatellae represents a significant addition to the diversity of cnidarian body plans.
- The study demonstrates that a muscular, wormlike form can evolve independently of bilateral symmetry in animals.
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