A ordem Neogastropoda agrupa aproximadamente 25 táxons em nível de famílias, porém os limites de separações entre essas famílias são geralmente obscuros, e agrupamentos e separações de famílias e subfamílias afins são possíveis de serem realizados. Tendo em vista este cenário a morfologia externa e interna de quatro representantes de três famílias da ordem foi minuciosamente analisada em busca de caracteres que auxiliem a determinar os limites de separação entre essas famílias. Foram selecionadas as espécies, Pugilina morio pertencente à família Melongenidae, Pleuroploca aurantiaca pertencente à família Fasciolariidae, ambas escolhidas por apresentarem uma notável semelhança conquiliológica e por apresentarem gêneros que migraram entre essas duas famílias ao longo de suas histórias taxonômicas. Assim como as espécies Vassum cassiforme e Turbinella laevigata pertencentes à família Turbinellidae, outrora já classificadas em famílias distintas. O conjunto de caracteres morfológicos obtido, em parte corrobora com o que há publicado em literatura, mas por outro lado, determinados dados mostraram-se complementares e até diferentes aos publicados até o momento / The order Neogastropoda comprises approximately 25 taxa at family level, but the limits of separation between these families are often obscure, and groupings and separations of families and related subfamilies are likely to be realized. Given this scenario, the external and internal morphology of four representatives of three families of the order was closely scrutinized in search of characters that help to determine the boundaries of separation between these families. We select species Pugilina morio belonging to Melongenidae family, Pleuroploca aurantiaca belonging to Fasciolariidae family, both chosen because they presented a striking conchological resemblance and for present genera that migrated between these two families over their taxonomic histories. Just as species Vassum cassiforme and Turbinella laevigata belonging to Turbinellidae family, formerly classified as distinct families. The set of morphological obtained data, partly concurs, with what is published in the literature, but on the other hand, certain data are shown by different and complementary to the published so far

A ordem Neogastropoda agrupa aproximadamente 25 táxons em nível de famílias, porém os limites de separações entre essas famílias são geralmente obscuros, e agrupamentos e separações de famílias e subfamílias afins são possíveis de serem realizados. Tendo em vista este cenário a morfologia externa e interna de quatro representantes de três famílias da ordem foi minuciosamente analisada em busca de caracteres que auxiliem a determinar os limites de separação entre essas famílias. Foram selecionadas as espécies, Pugilina morio pertencente à família Melongenidae, Pleuroploca aurantiaca pertencente à família Fasciolariidae, ambas escolhidas por apresentarem uma notável semelhança conquiliológica e por apresentarem gêneros que migraram entre essas duas famílias ao longo de suas histórias taxonômicas. Assim como as espécies Vassum cassiforme e Turbinella laevigata pertencentes à família Turbinellidae, outrora já classificadas em famílias distintas. O conjunto de caracteres morfológicos obtido, em parte corrobora com o que há publicado em literatura, mas por outro lado, determinados dados mostraram-se complementares e até diferentes aos publicados até o momento / The order Neogastropoda comprises approximately 25 taxa at family level, but the limits of separation between these families are often obscure, and groupings and separations of families and related subfamilies are likely to be realized. Given this scenario, the external and internal morphology of four representatives of three families of the order was closely scrutinized in search of characters that help to determine the boundaries of separation between these families. We select species Pugilina morio belonging to Melongenidae family, Pleuroploca aurantiaca belonging to Fasciolariidae family, both chosen because they presented a striking conchological resemblance and for present genera that migrated between these two families over their taxonomic histories. Just as species Vassum cassiforme and Turbinella laevigata belonging to Turbinellidae family, formerly classified as distinct families. The set of morphological obtained data, partly concurs, with what is published in the literature, but on the other hand, certain data are shown by different and complementary to the published so far

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Chicago, Department of Geophysical Sciences, December 2003. / CD-ROM contains figures 2.1-4.8 and A.1 in PDF format. Includes bibliographical references. Also available on the Internet.

The neogastropod Amphissa columbiana is found abundantly in subtidal areas of the San Juan Archipelago. Two populations studied were composed of distinct age classes of sexually immature and mature specimens. Reproduction appears to take place in the fall by snails at least two years old. Amphissa is a chemoreceptive scavenger that usually feeds on carrion and on dead and injured animals. Feeding behavior is mediated by chemical attractants from dead and traumatized tissue. An unusual feeding association is formed where Amphissa congregate around feeding predators to share their meals. A specific defense mechanism is deployed by Amphissa especially in response to aggressive sea stars. In addition to using common shell twisting gyrations etc., seen in many gastropods, the proboscis of an Amphissa is inserted into the ambulacral groove of a sea star. The star responds by retracting its tube feet, lifting its ray and releasing the captured Amphissa. The radial nerve of the star may be involved in the pr[o]boscis attack.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Flinders University, School of Biological Sciences. / Typescript bound. Includes bibliographical references: (p. 237-268) Also avaialable online.

The neogastropod family Fasciolariidae comprise of important representatives of tropical and subtropical molluscan assemblages, with over 500 species in the subfamilies Fasciolariinae, Fusininae and Peristerniinae. Fasciolariids with many well-known species such as tulip shells, horse-conchs, spindles, among others have a long complicated taxonomical history, with several genus names being used to group heterogeneous contingents of many unrelated species. Recently, however, taxonomical revisions have begun to set straight its taxonomy. The present work aims to resolve the phylogeny of the family Fasciolariidae, through: 1) a morphological phylogenetic parsimony analysis in TnT based on 95 characters and 53 taxa which revealed a monophyletic Fasciolariidae, with the genera Dolicholatirus and Teralatirus representing the first split in the family, followed by three splits that correspond to a fusinine grade, which also include the genus Pseudolatirus (Peristerniinae); a last split groups the peristerniine genera Peristernia and Fusolatirus, while the last group comprises of fasciolariines and the remaining peristerniines. None of these clades correspond to the present-day accepted circumscription of the three recognized subfamilies. 2) Complementing the work of Couto et al. (2016), which used a five-gene molecular dataset to analyze the phylogeny of the family. To this dataset, the previous morphological matrix was added, generating a total evidence dataset that was implemented in POY. This analysis revealed a non-monophyletic family with the genera Dolicholatirus and Teralatirus as non-fasciolariids; the remaining fasciolariids are well-supported, with the first split a monophyletic Fusininae and Pseudolatirus; a second split groups Peristernia and Fusolatirus; while the last, the remaining peristerniines and fasciolariines. Total evidence was congruent with the morphological data with the exception of the Fusininae that appeared as a crown-group and not as a grade; Lamellilatirus lamyi (Peristerniinae) nested within the fasciolariines. Finally, 3) supplement the phylogenetic analysis of Simone (2011), inserting the analyzed taxa from the morphological analysis in the same dataset. This resulted in a monophyletic Buccinoidea superfamily, a monophyletic Fasciolariidae, despite low resolution of relationship for internal taxa; Dolicholatirus nested within Fasciolariidae and the fusinines with Pseudolatirus appeared as a monophyletic crown-group. / A família de neogastrópodes Fasciolariidae é composta por representantes significativos da malacofauna em mares tropicais e subtropicais, com mais de 500 espécies descritas nas subfamílias Fasciolariinae, Fusininae e Peristerniinae. Os fasciolarídeos possuem um longo e confuso histórico taxonômico, com muitas espécies sendo alocados em gêneros claramente heterogêneos, resultando em agrupamentos que não refletem relação de parentesco. O presente estudo tem como objetico gerar hipóteses de filogenia da família Fasciolariidae; dessa maneira, foi realizada: 1) uma análise filogenética através de parcimonia no programa TnT, baseada em 95 caracteres morfológicos e 53 espécies, na qual demostrou a monofilia da família. Em relação aos arranjos internos dos fasciolarídeos, as subfamílias que compõem esse clado não são monofiléticas. Segundo a topologia obtida, observou-se que a primeira divergência separa um grupo com os gêneros Dolicholatirus e Teralatirus; a seguir, três divisões que correspondem a um grado de fusiníneos, que também inclui o gênero Pseudolatirus (Peristerniinae); uma última divisão, na qual se observa uma dicotomia que agrupa os gêneros de peristerníneos Peristernia e Fusolatirus, e os demais peristerníneos e fasciolaríneos. 2) Complementar o trabalho de Couto et al. (2016), que utilizaram dados moleculares de cinco genes para analisar a filogenia da família. A esses dados, foram incluídos também a matriz da análise morfológica, a fim de realizar uma análise de evidência total implementada no programa POY. O resultado dos dados concatenados corrobora com a análise molecular evidenciando a família Fasciolariidae como um clado não monofilético, uma vez que os gêneros Dolicholatirus e Teralatirus não estão incluídos na família; os demais fasciolarídeos formam um clado com uma primeira divisão que separa os fusiníneos e Pseudolatirus dos demais; uma segunda divisão compondo os peristerníneos Peristernia e Fusolatirus e a última agrupa os demais peristerníneos e fasciolaríneos. Dados de evidência total foram congruentes com a análise morfológica, com exceção dos fusiníneos, que apareceram como um grupo monofilético e Lamellilatirus lamyi (Peristerniinae) dentro dos fasciolaríneos. Finalmente, 3) inserir as espécies analisadas na análise morfológica, na matriz de dados de Simone (2011). Esta última análise resultou um uma superfamília Buccinoidea monofilética, a família Fasciolariidae sendo monofilético apesar de com uma topologia com pouca resolução interna para os táxons internos; Dolicholatirus e Teralatirus estão incluídos na família e os fusiníneos mais o gênero Pseudolatirus como um grupo monofilético.

The neogastropod family Fasciolariidae comprise of important representatives of tropical and subtropical molluscan assemblages, with over 500 species in the subfamilies Fasciolariinae, Fusininae and Peristerniinae. Fasciolariids with many well-known species such as tulip shells, horse-conchs, spindles, among others have a long complicated taxonomical history, with several genus names being used to group heterogeneous contingents of many unrelated species. Recently, however, taxonomical revisions have begun to set straight its taxonomy. The present work aims to resolve the phylogeny of the family Fasciolariidae, through: 1) a morphological phylogenetic parsimony analysis in TnT based on 95 characters and 53 taxa which revealed a monophyletic Fasciolariidae, with the genera Dolicholatirus and Teralatirus representing the first split in the family, followed by three splits that correspond to a fusinine grade, which also include the genus Pseudolatirus (Peristerniinae); a last split groups the peristerniine genera Peristernia and Fusolatirus, while the last group comprises of fasciolariines and the remaining peristerniines. None of these clades correspond to the present-day accepted circumscription of the three recognized subfamilies. 2) Complementing the work of Couto et al. (2016), which used a five-gene molecular dataset to analyze the phylogeny of the family. To this dataset, the previous morphological matrix was added, generating a total evidence dataset that was implemented in POY. This analysis revealed a non-monophyletic family with the genera Dolicholatirus and Teralatirus as non-fasciolariids; the remaining fasciolariids are well-supported, with the first split a monophyletic Fusininae and Pseudolatirus; a second split groups Peristernia and Fusolatirus; while the last, the remaining peristerniines and fasciolariines. Total evidence was congruent with the morphological data with the exception of the Fusininae that appeared as a crown-group and not as a grade; Lamellilatirus lamyi (Peristerniinae) nested within the fasciolariines. Finally, 3) supplement the phylogenetic analysis of Simone (2011), inserting the analyzed taxa from the morphological analysis in the same dataset. This resulted in a monophyletic Buccinoidea superfamily, a monophyletic Fasciolariidae, despite low resolution of relationship for internal taxa; Dolicholatirus nested within Fasciolariidae and the fusinines with Pseudolatirus appeared as a monophyletic crown-group. / A família de neogastrópodes Fasciolariidae é composta por representantes significativos da malacofauna em mares tropicais e subtropicais, com mais de 500 espécies descritas nas subfamílias Fasciolariinae, Fusininae e Peristerniinae. Os fasciolarídeos possuem um longo e confuso histórico taxonômico, com muitas espécies sendo alocados em gêneros claramente heterogêneos, resultando em agrupamentos que não refletem relação de parentesco. O presente estudo tem como objetico gerar hipóteses de filogenia da família Fasciolariidae; dessa maneira, foi realizada: 1) uma análise filogenética através de parcimonia no programa TnT, baseada em 95 caracteres morfológicos e 53 espécies, na qual demostrou a monofilia da família. Em relação aos arranjos internos dos fasciolarídeos, as subfamílias que compõem esse clado não são monofiléticas. Segundo a topologia obtida, observou-se que a primeira divergência separa um grupo com os gêneros Dolicholatirus e Teralatirus; a seguir, três divisões que correspondem a um grado de fusiníneos, que também inclui o gênero Pseudolatirus (Peristerniinae); uma última divisão, na qual se observa uma dicotomia que agrupa os gêneros de peristerníneos Peristernia e Fusolatirus, e os demais peristerníneos e fasciolaríneos. 2) Complementar o trabalho de Couto et al. (2016), que utilizaram dados moleculares de cinco genes para analisar a filogenia da família. A esses dados, foram incluídos também a matriz da análise morfológica, a fim de realizar uma análise de evidência total implementada no programa POY. O resultado dos dados concatenados corrobora com a análise molecular evidenciando a família Fasciolariidae como um clado não monofilético, uma vez que os gêneros Dolicholatirus e Teralatirus não estão incluídos na família; os demais fasciolarídeos formam um clado com uma primeira divisão que separa os fusiníneos e Pseudolatirus dos demais; uma segunda divisão compondo os peristerníneos Peristernia e Fusolatirus e a última agrupa os demais peristerníneos e fasciolaríneos. Dados de evidência total foram congruentes com a análise morfológica, com exceção dos fusiníneos, que apareceram como um grupo monofilético e Lamellilatirus lamyi (Peristerniinae) dentro dos fasciolaríneos. Finalmente, 3) inserir as espécies analisadas na análise morfológica, na matriz de dados de Simone (2011). Esta última análise resultou um uma superfamília Buccinoidea monofilética, a família Fasciolariidae sendo monofilético apesar de com uma topologia com pouca resolução interna para os táxons internos; Dolicholatirus e Teralatirus estão incluídos na família e os fusiníneos mais o gênero Pseudolatirus como um grupo monofilético.

Information on the biosynthetic origin and functional advantage of marine mollusc natural products is not only essential to our understanding of chemical ecology, but to the development and responsible production of therapeutic agents. As demonstrating in situ activity is methodologically hindered, functions inferred by in vitro activity have been assumed for many secondary metabolites. The anatomical and ontogenetic distribution of natural products can not only provide information on the biosynthesis and storage of metabolites, but identify selective pressures likely to affect survivorship at a specific life stage. Thus, dissection and chemical analysis of distinct tissues, in combination with histochemistry may offer a valuable approach. Marine gastropods of the Muricidae are renowned for the ancient dye Tyrian purple, which evolves from choline esters of bromoindoxyl sulphate in the hypobranchial gland through a series of enzymatic and photo-oxidative reactions. Prochromogen hydrolysis by arylsulphatase liberates neuromuscular active choline esters and cytotoxic bromoindole precursors, which also occur in muricid egg masses. Although visual accounts of dye pigments in the muricid gonoduct suggest precursors may be incorporated into egg masses from a maternal source, their biosynthetic origin and the evolutionary significance of the hypobranchial gland is unknown. Thus, the Muricidae, and in particular Dicathais orbita upon which most previous research has been focused, is an ideal model for this novel approach to natural product research. To confirm observations of dye pigments in muricid gonoducts and gain an understanding of their anatomical distribution, a liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) method was developed to simultaneously quantify pigments, precursors and the prochromogen, tyrindoxyl sulfate. The prochromogen was not only detected in albumen and capsule gland extracts, but bioactive intermediates and the dye 6,6’-dibromoindigo were also present in the latter. These findings provided preliminary evidence for the maternal provision of prochromogens in egg masses of D. orbita and identified regions within which to conduct histochemical investigations. Tyrindoxyl sulphate was also detected in male prostate gland extracts, along with the dibromoindigo isomer, 6,6’-dibromoindirubin and its oxidative precursor, 6-bromoisatin. This not only implies physiological differences exist between male and female gonoducts, but that these secondary metabolites are not solely intended for egg masses and may hold significance throughout the life cycle. Histomorphological inspection of the pallial gonoduct-hypobranchial gland complex was conducted over the annual cycle to determine a mechanism for precursor transfer between these structures. Although an anatomical connection was not detected, the secretions of two hypobranchial cell types thought to be involved in Tyrian purple synthesis were of remarkable biochemical similarity to those of various capsule and albumen gland lobes. Together these findings implied the potential for natural product synthesis within the pallial gonoduct of D. orbita. To establish the role of these glandular lobes in the incorporation of intracapsular fluid and capsule laminae, identical histochemical techniques were applied to transverse capsule wall sections. Biochemical correlations not only provided a simple method of deciphering the complex process of encapsulation in neogastropods, but effectively identified the destination of gonoduct secretions in egg capsules of D. orbita. Comparisons of capsule and gonoduct biochemistry revealed that the intracapsular fluid and inner capsule wall are secreted by the posterior capsule gland lobe, the middle lamina by the lateral lobes and the outer layers by the dorsal lobe, albumen and pedal glands. Investigation into the location of regulatory enzymes and precursors was conducted to establish the biosynthetic origin of Tyrian purple prochromogens and mechanisms governing bioactive precursor synthesis. Novel histochemical techniques for the localization of bromoperoxidase, the enzyme thought to facilitate prochromogen bromination, and tyrindoxyl sulphate were developed and applied to gonoduct, hypobranchial gland, and encapsulated larvae sections. Standard staining reactions for the indole precursor, tryptophan, and arylsulphatase were also applied. The histochemical approach adopted revealed that tyrindoxyl sulphate is de novo biosynthesized through the post-translational bromination of dietary derived tryptophan. Two biosynthetic sites were identified, one related to hypobranchial secondary metabolism and the second of significance to the presence of bioactive precursors in muricid egg masses. Tryptophan is stored within secretory cells of the lateral hypobranchial epithelium and once exocytosed, is united with bromoperoxidase from supportive cells to form tyrindoxyl sulphate. Prochromogen synthesis also occurs in the subepithelial vascular sinus for storage and secretion by medial hypobranchial secretory cells. Bioactive precursor synthesis on the epithelial surface is regulated by the liberation of arylsulphatase from adjacent supportive cells. These findings not only provide evidence for de novo biosynthesis of Tyrian purple precursors, but are first account of natural product biosynthesis within the gastropod hypobranchial gland. Together these findings imply a naturally selected function for the synthesis of bioactive indoles in hypobranchial gland secretions of the Muricidae and Gastropoda. Tyrindoxyl sulphate is also transported within the vascular sinus to lateral and dorsal capsule gland lobes where bromoperoxidase and arylsulphatase also occur. Arylsulphatase was also detected within the albumen gland, which along with the posterior capsule gland lobe, acts as a storage site for dietary tryptophan. Thus, tyrindoxyl sulphate and the constituents for prochromogen and precursor biosynthesis are introduced to intracapsular fluid and capsule laminae by the capsule gland. Histochemistry in combination with LC-MS revealed an identical biosynthetic profile within larval vitellus, which is elaborated during oogenesis and may also receive secretions from the albumen gland. Due to the absence of a hypobranchial gland in veligers, it appears that pelagic larvae rely on vitelline natural products until settlement and metamorphous. These findings together with the in situ antimicrobial activity of bromoindoles suggest Tyrian purple precursors are incorporated into muricid egg masses as a maternal investment in larval defence against pathogens. The results of this investigation clearly highlight the benefits of adopting a histochemical approach to natural product research. This novel alternative to radioisotopes and in situ demonstration of bioactivity, can not only aid in the elucidation of secondary metabolic pathways and chemically mediated interactions, but identify mechanisms of metabolite regulation and differentiate between biosynthetic and storage tissues. Apart from providing insight into the ecological significance of muricid secondary metabolites, the biosynthetic information provided is valuable to our understanding of chemical phylogeny and biosynthetic enzyme sequencing for the environmentally sound development of natural products as biomedical agents.