Collaborative Research: REVSYS: Worm-snails revised (Mollusca: Gastropoda)

“蠕虫-蜗牛”科的成员出现在温带和热带海洋中，并发展出许多非常不寻常的特征，包括群居的粘合习惯（使它们成为重要的珊瑚礁建造者，同时在全球运输时也是令人讨厌的物种）和快速的基因顺序变化。它们的栖息地也标志着以前的海平面，使它们成为海平面和气候变化的重要指标。虽然它们作为环境指标和研究基因顺序变化的模型系统的潜力非常大，但由于在物种划分和关系方面的混乱，它们的潜力尚未充分实现。本项目采用形态学、分子和超微结构相结合的方法来辨别类群中的关系，并将提供一个稳定的分类，以及关于这些物种的多样化速度和历史地理的新推断。该项目涉及广泛的跨学科学生培训，并将为全球范围内对这一多样化和重要的软体动物群体的研究和理解提供一个合作平台。研究结果将通过多种媒体广泛传播给广泛的受众，有利于科学教育和自然保护。增加对这一群体的了解对于解决入侵物种、海平面和气候变化等问题将特别有价值。

Members of the 'worm-snail' family Vermetidae occur in temperate and tropical seas and have developed numerous highly unusual traits, including a gregarious cementing habit (making them important reef builders as well as nuisance species when transported globally) and a rapid rate of gene-order change. Their colonies also mark former sea levels, making them important indicators of sea level and climate change. While their potential as an environmental indicator and as a model system for studying gene order change is very high, their full potential has not been realized because of confusion concerning species delineations and relationships. This project uses a combined approach of morphology, molecules, and ultrastructure to discern relationships in the group, and will provide a stable classification, as well as new inferences about the tempo of diversification and historical geography of these species. The project involves extensive and interdisciplinary student training and will provide a collaborative platform for worldwide efforts in research and understanding of this diverse and important group of mollusks. The results will be widely disseminated through many media to a broad range of audiences, benefiting science education and conservation. Increased knowledge of this group will be particularly valuable for addressing questions about invasive species and sea level and climate changes.