RT Journal Article
T1 They come in all sizes: integrative systematics and morphological radiation of Scherotheca (Lumbricidae, Crassiclitellata)
A1 Fernández Marchán, Daniel
A1 Gérard, Sylvain
A1 Martínez Navarro, Alejandro
A1 Piris Martín, Alberto
A1 Hedde, Mickaël
A1 Decaëns, Thibaud
A1 Novo Rodríguez, Marta
AB Scherotheca is amongst the most diverse earthworm genera within Lumbricidae, exhibiting striking ecomorphological radiation—from small epigeic-like forms to giant anecic species. Accurate systematics is critical for exploring such diversification. We sequenced 16 previously unrepresented species plus additional populations across their range for five molecular markers, inferring phylogenetic relationships via maximum likelihood, Bayesian inference and time-calibrated analyses, as well as ancestral area and character state reconstructions. Scherotheca was recovered as monophyletic, but previous subgeneric divisions were unsupported. With the addition of four new species, Scherotheca currently includes 56 species: Cryptic diversity within Scherotheca aquitania may increase this number upon further research. Biogeographic analyses supported a middle Eocene origin (~47 Mya) on the Corsica–Sardinia–Provence microplate, followed by westward expansion driven by paleogeographic events, such as Pyrenean uplift and marine introgressions. Multiple Corsican clades evolved independently, displaying morphological radiation under insular pressures. Ancestral reconstructions indicated the last common ancestor resembled the mid-sized Scherotheca portcrosana. The radiation of body size was particularly pronounced in Atlantic regions, likely shaped by ecological, climatic and biotic pressures. This study provides the most comprehensive evolutionary framework for Scherotheca, serving as a reference for further research on Western European earthworm diversification, functional trait evolution and biogeographic history.
PB Wiley
SN 0748-3007
YR 2025
FD 2025-09-02
LK https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/129851
UL https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/129851
LA eng
NO Marchán, D. F., Gérard, S., Navarro, A. M., Piris, A., Hedde, M., Decaëns, T., & Novo, M. (2025). They come in all sizes: integrative systematics and morphological radiation of Scherotheca (Lumbricidae, Crassiclitellata). Cladistics, 41(6), 581-599.
NO This work was supported by projects PID2021-122243NB-I00 “Análisis comparativo de la distribución de las lombrices de tierra y su adaptación a los factores ambientales cambiantes en el MediterráneoOccidental (WORMADAPT)” and PID2023-146107NA-I00 “Evolucion, mecanismos moleculares e importancia ecológica de las lombrices de tierra gigantes europeas.” DFM was funded by a María Zambrano Postdoctoral Grant from the Spanish Ministry of Sciences, Innovation and Universities and by a Make Our Planet Great Again Postdoctoral grant from Campus France.
NO Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (España)
NO Campus France
DS Docta Complutense
RD 1 abr 2026