Phylogenetic inference from adult morphology in the nematoda; with emphasis on the bursate nematodes, the strongylida; advancements (1982–1985) and recommendations for further work

Abstract

Progress in the years 1982 through 1985 in the development of phylogenetic classifications of nematode parasites of vertebrates was reviewed. Because of space limitations, only significant progress on the phylogeny of the bursate nematodes of the order Strongylida was described and discussed. Significant contributions on other orders were listed but not discussed and contributions below subfamily level could not be included. Major contributions toward understanding the phylogeny of the Strongyloidea of Australian marsupials were made by Beveridge (1982) and a new hypothesis on the evolution of Strongylidae of equids was proposed by Dvoīnos (1982). Additional characters are needed to test the new proposals and to determine whether buccal capsule shape and size is useful at the subfamily level in the Strongyloidea. The most significant contribution on the Trichostrongyloidea was a new classification of the entire superfamily with keys to genera by Durette-Desset (1983) that employed newly described characteristics of the copulatory bursa. A key to genera of the Trichostrongylidae was contributed by Gibbons & Khalil (1982). Contributions on the Metastrongyloidea were made by Anderson (1982) who discussed hosts, life cycles and evolution of the superfamily; by Pryadko (1984) who discussed the origin of the Protostrongylidae; by Spratt (1984) who described new taxa and presented a revised key to nematodes found in the lungs of Australian marsupials; and by Platt (1984) who used cladistics to analyze the phylogenetics of the Elaphostrongylinae.