Abstract
Erpenbeck, D., Breeuwer, J.A.J. & van Soest, R.W.M. (2005). Identification, characterization and phylogenetic signal of an elongation factor‐1 alpha fragment in demosponges (Metazoa, Porifera, Demospongiae). — Zoologica Scripta , ** , *** – ***. Independent molecular markers are needed in order to clarify demosponge systematics. Elongation factor‐1 alpha (EF‐1a) is a frequently used marker in metazoan phylogeny, which has not hitherto been used for Porifera. In this paper, a fragment of the gene encoding EF‐1a is characterized and tested for its suitability in phylogenetic reconstructions of demosponges. We point out the pitfalls in establishing new markers in sponge molecular systematics, particularly with regard to the variety of nonporiferan DNA templates contained within sponges, and show the limited suitability of the fragment for higher demosponge systematics.