Oikopleuridae Explained

Oikopleuridae is a family of larvacean tunicates. A comparatively species-rich family, it has been especially well-researched thanks to the ubiquity of Oikopleura dioica as a model species. It comprises two subfamilies, Bathochordaeinae and Oikopleurinae, itself divided into the tribes Alabiata and Labiata.^[1]

It is believed to be sister to the clade formed by the two other families (Fritillariidae and Kowalevskiidae), united by common derived characteristics lacking in Oikopleuridae.^[2]

References

• Van der Land, J. (2001). Appendicularia, in: Costello, M.J. et al. (Ed.) (2001). European register of marine species: a check-list of the marine species in Europe and a bibliography of guides to their identification. Collection Patrimoines Naturels, 50: pp. 356
• Fenaux, R., Q. Bone, and D. Deibel. 1998. Appendicularian distribution and zoogeography, p. 251-264. In q. Bone [ed.], The biology of pelagic tunicates. Oxford University Press.

Notes and References

1. Book: The biology of pelagic tunicates. Appendicularian distribution and zoogeography. Bone. Q.. Oxford University Press. Fenaux. R.. Bone. Q.. Deibel. D.. 1998. 251–264.
2. Alimentary tract of Kowalevskiidae (Appendicularia, Tunicata) and evolutionary implications. Journal of Morphology. 10.1002/jmor.10145. 31 July 2003. Brena. Carlo. Cima. Francesca. Burighel. Paolo.