PHYLOGENETIC ANALYSIS OF THE RAPANINAE (NEOGASTROPODA, MURICIDAE)

The generic level revision and phylogenetic analysis of the gastropod subfamily Rapaninae Gray, 1853 (Prosobranchia: Neogastropoda: Muricida e), presented here is based primarily on gross anatomy (female and mal e reproductive systems, alimentary system, mantle cavity organs), radu lar, opercular, and protoconch morphology, and shell ultrastructure. R esults reveal that Rapaninae includes most members previously allocate d to the Thaidinae Jousseaume, 1888. The type species of most recogniz ed rapanine genera were studied for character selec tion. Eighteen cha racters were determined for cladistic analyses, and results were compa red with additional data derived from egg capsule morphology and bioge ographic data. The cladistic analyses show (1) that the former Thaidid ae/nae of authors is polyphyletic and should be divided into two (mono phyletic) groups; (2) that family status is not justified for either o f these groups; (3) that Rapana Schumacher, 1817, is monophyletic with Thaidinae, resulting in synonymization of Thaidinae Jousseaume, 1888, with Rapaninae Gray, 1853; and (4) that several genera belonging to t he Rapaninae merely deserve subgeneric status. The genera Nucella Rodi ng, 1798, Forreria Jousseaume, 1880, Trochia Swainson, 1840, Acanthina Fischer von Waldheim, 1807, and Haustrum Ferry, 1811, are placed in O cenebrinae Cossmann, 1903 (sensu Kool, 1993); the genera Cymia Morch, 1860, Rapana Schumacher, 1817, Stramonita Schumacher, 1817, Concholepa s Lamarck, 1801, Dicatinais Iredale, 1936, Drupa Roding, 1798, Plicopu rpura Cossmann, 1903, Pinaxia H. and A. Adams, 1853, Nassa Roding, 179 8, Vexilla Swainson, 1840, Cronia H. and A. Adams, 1853, Morula Schuma cher, 1817, Thais Roding, 1798, Purpura Bruguiere, 1789, and Mancinell a Link, 1807, are placed in Rapaninae. The taxa Vasula Morch, 1860, Tr ibulus Sowerby, 1839, and Neorapana Cooke, 1918, are allocated subgene ric status under Thais.