The Scalidophora include Priapulida, Kinorhyncha and Loricifera. The apomorphies which characterise this monophylum are rows of scalids as spinous appendages of an retractable introvert.

To find out the constellation of the phylogentic relationship of all three taxa it is important that all three groups have a similar level of knowledge. Momentarily the Loricifera are still the taxon with most unknown aspects. It is important to complete the knowledge about their taxonomy, systematic, and morphology.

Following schedules should be given prior attention:
1. Carry out new species descriptions and work over still existing ones. A phylogenetic analysis only makes sense if about 30 well-described species are available.
2. Investigations of the complex morphology, to clarify the buccal structures and the complex pattern of the scalid arrangement on the introvert.

Entwicklungszyklen und Phylogenie der Loricifera Download 215 kB PDF