A phylogenetic analysis of the tribe Azeliini (Muscidae) was conducted, as well as a revision and phylogenetic analysis of the genus Thricops Rondani. Forty-four valid species and two subspecies of Thricops were recognised, including six species new to science. All species of this genus have been redescribed and illustrated, and a key to the world fauna is presented. An exemplar-based phylogenetic analysis of Thricops was conducted using three different sources of data: morphological characters of the adults, nucleotide sequence from the nuclear gene white and nucleotide sequence from the subunits I and II of the mitochondrial gene cytochrome c oxidase. The monophyly of Thricops sensu lato was supported by the analysis of all individual and combined data sets. Combination of data sets increased resolution for the smaller taxon sets, where there was little missing data. The mitochondrial sequence generally provided finer resolution and better branch support than white. The phylogenetic analysis of the Azeliini was based on adult morphological characters of 32 exemplar species representing ten genera. The monophyly of the Azeliini was well supported by eight apomorphic characters. The genus Australophyra Malloch was removed from synonymy with Hydrotaea R.-D. and reinstated, Megophyra Emden was synonymized with Neohydrotaea Malloch, and Crucianella Xue & Mang was synonymized with Xestomyia Stein. A number of new combinations resulted from these new synonymies. A generic key to the Azeliini was presented, and all genera redescribed according to the new limits defined in this study.

The goal of this dissertation is to explore novel and non-traditional taxonomic characters that may be useful for mollusks, and combine them with radular and shell characters to carry out a taxonomic review of the genus Cribrarula (Cypraeidae). Shells in this genus have conspicuous dorsal spots, but like odler cowries, lack sculpture, spines, and other shell characters commonly used in gastropod taxonomy. For these reasons, cowrie shells are considered uninformative. The study of dorsal spots (DS) and related characters suggest that at least in this complex, the dorsal spots may represent a record of the mantle papillae. If the hypothesis is correct, then DS may provide information on the soft parts that previously was only available from the study of live or preserved specimens. Each species in the complex has a species-specific range of DS, marginal spots, and allied characters, thus suggesting that they may be useful in distinguishing species in the complex. The odontophore cartilage provides support for the radula and attachment for the muscles responsible for feeding. Although intimately connected to the radula and known since the 1800's, the taxonomic value of the odontophore has been overlooked. A study of odontophore variation in the family Cypraeidae proposes the structure as a novel taxonomic character, potentially applicable to most mollusks. The Cribrarula cribraria Linnaeus, 1758 complex is reviewed, and twelve species and six subspecies are recognized on the basis of multivariate analyses of shell characters, the radula, odontophore, and geographic distribution. The shell, radula, odontophore and distributional maps are illustrated for each taxon. The nominal species, cribraria, ranges from East Africa to the Central Pacific, and several populations are distinctive enough to be recognized as subspecies. The other eleven species are restricted to narrower ranges along the periphery of the distribution of cribraria. During the review of Cribrarula, a new species from New South Wales was described as C. gravida Moretzsohn, 2002. / Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 302-323). / Mode of access: World Wide Web. / Also available by subscription via World Wide Web / xxvii, 323 leaves ill., maps 29 cm. +

Includes index / Bibliography: leaves 400-425 / [10], 431, ca. 90 leaves, [36] leaves of plates : ill., maps ; 30 cm. / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Zoology, 1988

393 p. : ill. ; 30 cm. / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / Thesis (Ph.D.1975)--Dept. of Botany, University of Adelaide

xi, 651 leaves : ill., plates ; 30 cm. / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / Thesis (Ph.D.1975) from the Dept. of Botany, University of Adelaide

Thesis (M.S.)--Columbia University, 1938. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 104-108).

Thesis (M.S.)--Oregon State University, 2005. / Printout. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 77-82). Also available on the World Wide Web.

Thesis (Th. M.)--Dallas Theological Seminary, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 416-417).

Thesis (M.S.)--Columbia University, 1938. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 104-108).

Thesis--Columbia University. / Typescript. Bibliography: leaves 232-233.