Meeting Abstract

P1.125  Jan. 4  Phylogenetic Analysis of Terebelliformia Worms (Polychaeta, Annelida) based on mitochondrial genomes ZHONG, M*; HALANYCH, K M.; Auburn University; Auburn University zhongmi@auburn.edu

Complete mitochondrial genome (mtDNA) seqeunces are a useful tool for inferring animal phylogeny. Because the rate of gene arrangement of mtDNA varies among different lineages, gene order may provide resolution at differing taxonomic levels. To further understand the phylogenetic potential of complete mitochondrial genome sequence data in Annelida (segmented worms), we obtained mitochondrial genome data for three Terebelliformia worms (Eclysippe vanelli–Ampharetidae, Pista cristata–Terebellidae and Terebellides stroemi–Trichobranchidae) and combined these with available GenBank data. The goal of this work is to elucidate phylogenetic relationships among the 5 recognized families within Terebellidormia: Alvinellidae, Ampharetidae, Pectinariidae, Terebellidae and Trichobranchidae. Sequence results show very similar gene arrangement for Pista cristata and Terebellides stroemi which are different from Eclysippe vanelli. Thus, mitochondrial gene order is less evolutionarily conserved across annelids than previously hypothesized. Combined with other annelid mitochondrial genomes reported previously, our data also suggest a preliminary phylogenetic relationship within Terebelliformia worms. Additionally, three genomes show AT bias and microsatellite-like repeated sequences in control region.