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域，并发展了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，以及全球运输时的滋扰物种）和基因顺序的快速变化。它们的殖民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作为研究基因顺序变化的模型系统的潜力非常高，但由于物种描述和关系的混乱，它们的全部潜力尚未实现。该项目使用形态学，分子和超微结构相结合的方法来辨别组中的关系，并将提供一个稳定的分类，以及关于这些物种的多样化和历史地理的克里思的新推论。该项目涉及广泛和跨学科的学生培训，并将提供一个合作平台，为世界各地的努力，在研究和了解这一多样和重要的软体动物群体。研究结果将通过许多媒体向广大受众广泛传播，从而使科学教育和保护工作受益。增加对这一群体的了解对于解决有关入侵物种和海平面及气候变化的问题特别有价值。

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.