Distribution patterns of Terebellidae (Annelida: Polychaeta): an application of Parsimony Analysis of Endemicity (PAE)

Abstract

The biogeography of Terebellidae (Polychaeta) using Parsimony Analysis of Endemism (PAE) is investigated and species and genera distribution in relation to coastal and continental shelf areas of endemism around the world is considered. Hierarchical patterns in PAE cladograms are identified by testing for congruence with patterns derived from cladistic biogeography and geological evidence. The PAE cladogram indicates that many of the extant terebellid worms from the current Southern Hemisphere (“Gondwanan clades”) have originated from Laurasian ancestors or, in the case of the clade formed by Brazilian, South Atlantic and Antarctic taxa, have descended directly from an ancestral lineage common to some Northern areas. The present analysis also shows a high level of endemism at the species level. Relationships of the areas differ slightly from previous biogeographical analyses applied to other polychaete families.

Keywords

• marine biogeography
• historical biogeography
• areas of endemicity
• terebellinae
• polycirrinae
• thelepodinae
• trichobranchinae