Phylogenetic relationships of freshwater sponges (Porifera, Spongillina) inferred from analyses of 18S rDNA, COI mtDNA, and ITS2 rDNA sequences

The phylogenetic relationships of nine species of freshwater sponges, representing the families Spongillidae, Lubomirskiidae, and Metaniidae, were inferred from analyses of 18S rDNA, cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) mtDNA, and internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) rDNA sequences. These species form a strongly supported monophyletic group within the Demospongiae, with the lithistid Vetulina stalactites as the sister taxon. Within the freshwater sponge clade, the basal taxon is not resolved. Depending upon the method of analysis and sequence, the metaniid species, Corvomeyenia sp., or the spongillid species, Trochospongilla pennsylvanica, emerges as the basal species. Among the remaining freshwater sponge species, the spongillids, Spongilla lacustris and Eunapius fragilis, form a sister group to a clade comprised of the spongillid species, Clypeatula cooperensis, Ephydatia fluviatilis, and Ephydatia muelleri, and the lubomirskiid species, Baikalospongia bacillifera and Lubomisrkia baicalensis. C. cooperensis is the sister taxon of E. fluvialitis, and E. muelleri is the sister taxon of (B. bacillifera+L. baicalensis). The family Spongillidae and the genus Ephydatia are thus paraphyletic with respect to the lubomirskiid species; Ephydatia is also paraphyletic to C. cooperensis. We suggest that C. cooperensis be transferred to the genus Ephydatia and that the family Lubomirskiidae be subsumed into the Spongillidae.