Molecular phylogeny of the Orthurethra (Panpulmonata: Stylommatophora)

Abstract We have undertaken a molecular analysis of the Orthurethra, one major groups stylommatophoran land snails and slugs. Approximately 4000 nucleotides rRNA gene cluster [5.8S, internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) almost full-length large subunit (LSU; 28S) gene] were sequenced for 40 orthurethran genera belonging to 19 families. Our phylogeny recovers three well-supported clades within Orthurethra; Azecidae, Chondrinidae + Truncatellinidae, main clade comprising all remaining The first division in Orthurethra separates Azecidae from other taxa. Of those families represented by more than genus, Achatinellidae, Cerastidae, Partulidae Vertiginidae are recovered as strongly supported monophyletic units, whereas Chondrinidae, Enidae, Pupillidae Valloniidae unsupported tree. Although there is relatively little support deep-level relationships among groups, some groupings supported. sister-group relationship Cochlicopidae with Amastridae our analyses, also grouping Orculidae Pyramidulidae, Draparnaudiidae Gastrocoptidae. findings analyses dividing into superfamilies: Azecoidea, Chondrinoidea Pupilloidea.