Abstract
Evolutionary relationships among seven species from two genera (Pantinonemertes and Geonemertes) of terrestrial nemerteans (phylum Nemertea) were estimated by a Wagner analysis of 27 morphological, ecological and life history characters. Pantinonemertes was found to be a paraphyletic taxon, and it is suggested that this genus should be combined with Geonemertes to form a monophyletic group. A previous hypothesis for how terrestrial nemerteans evolved is discussed and compared to the results of the cladistic analysis. This suggests that terrestrial and semi-terrestrial species evolved from a marine ancestor; the upper littoral and marine environments have been recolonized by descendants from a terrestrial ancestor.
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