DEB-9797400 Reynolds Patrick Reynolds of Hamilton College will examine phylogenetic relationships among genera of the Class Scaphopoda, the tusk shells. Scaphopods comprise one of nine classes in the Phylum Mollusca, the second largest phylum of animal (and which also includes snails, clams, and squid), and are very poorly known in terms of historical genealogy (phylogeny). Reynolds will employ soft-part anatomical and ultrastructural characters for morphological comparisons and phylogenetic analysis. Issues to be addressed directly in the research are: (i) monophyly of the Orders Dentaliida and Gadilia; (ii) monophyly of scaphopod families; and (iii) a system of classification for Scaphopoda that reflects phylogenetic relationships and the familial and ordinal levels. The project will have impact on present understanding of scaphodpod biology and will provide a significant framework for future studies of character evolution, phylogenetic position of fossil taxa, and historical biology. The project is an RUI award and there is significant involvement of undergraduate students at Hamilton College in the project.
