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Science 4 May 1990:
Vol. 248. no. 4955, pp. 579 - 583
DOI: 10.1126/science.248.4955.579
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Articles

Evolutionary Significance of Morphospecies: A Test with Cheilostome Bryozoa

Jeremy B. C. Jackson 1 and Alan H. Cheetham 2

1 Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Apartado 2072, Balboa, Republic of Panama
2 Department of Paleobiology, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC 20560

Much of the controversy concerning the theory of punctuated equilibrium stems from skepticism about the biologic validity of fossil morphospecies, particularly for supposedly simple invertebrate taxa like cheilostome Bryozoa that form the bulk of the fossil record. However, evidence from breeding experiments and protein electrophoresis shows that morphospecific identity of cheilostomes is heritable and that morphospecies are genetically distinct with no indication of morphologically cryptic species. Thus paleontologists can study cheilostome evolution at the species level, and previously demonstrated pattems suggesting punctuated speciation in cheilostomes should be taken at face value.


THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES:
MORPHOMETRICS OF MANIPORA (TABULATA; UPPER ORDOVICIAN; SOUTHERN MANITOBA, CANADA).
B.-Y. BAE, R. J. ELIAS, and D.-J. LEE (2008)
Journal of Paleontology 82, 78-90
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Mating trials validate the use of DNA barcoding to reveal cryptic speciation of a marine bryozoan taxon.
A. Gomez, P. J Wright, D. H Lunt, J. M Cancino, G. R Carvalho, and R. N Hughes (2007)
Proc R Soc B 274, 199-207
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
MORPHOLOGICAL DIFFERENTIATION OF AVICULARIA AND THE PROLIFERATION OF SPECIES IN MID-CRETACEOUS WILBERTOPORA CHEETHAM, 1954 (BRYOZOA: CHEILOSTOMATA).
A. H. CHEETHAM, J. SANNER, P. D. TAYLOR, and A. N. OSTROVSKY (2006)
Journal of Paleontology 80, 49-71
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
CLADISTIC AND PHENETIC RECOGNITION OF SPECIES IN THE ORDOVICIAN BRYOZOAN GENUS PERONOPORA.
(2004)
Journal of Paleontology 78, 651-674
PHYLOGENY, SYSTEMATICS, AND BIOSTRATIGRAPHY OF THE ORDOVICIAN BRYOZOAN GENUS PERONOPORA.
(2002)
Journal of Paleontology 76, 607-637
CHANGES IN COLONIAL DEVELOPMENT, INTRASPECIFIC HETEROCHRONY, MORPHOLOGICAL INTEGRATION, AND CHARACTER HERITABILITIES IN TWO POPULATIONS OF THE BRYOZOAN SPECIES BATOSTOMA JAMESI FROM THE KOPE FORMATION (UPPER ORDOVICIAN, CINCINNATIAN).
(2002)
Journal of Paleontology 76, 197-210
EVOLUTIONARY SIGNIFICANCE OF SEXUAL AND ASEXUAL MODES OF PROPAGATION IN NEOGENE SPECIES OF THE BRYOZOAN METRARABDOTOS IN TROPICAL AMERICA.
(2001)
Journal of Paleontology 75, 564-577
Response.
J. B. C. JACKSON and A. H. CHEETHAM (1991)
Science 251, 319
   PDF »


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Science. ISSN 0036-8075 (print), 1095-9203 (online)