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Data last updated
Mon 1 Dec 2025

Bivalvia | Unionoida | Hyrioidea | Hyriidae

subfamily VELESUNIONINAE Iredale, 1934: cladomics

6 genera

Cladomics pages are experimental — even more so than the rest of this site!

The purpose of the cladomics pages for each genus and family-group level taxon is to provide statistics and references indicating the extent to which published phylogenetic work supports the classification used here.

The Cladomics Summary provides an overview of the number of studies that have included terminal species representing this taxon as well as an indication of how frequently it has been recovered as monophyletic.

Following the summary, the available published clades representing the taxon are listed.

For more information, visit the Cladomics FARQ (frequently asked rhetorical questions) page. Abbreviations for the various statistics are explained on the FARQ!

Cladomics Summary

number of species = 17 (23 total)
number of subtaxa (rank: genus) = 6
analyzed in 62 cladograms in 37 publications
maximum number of terminals in an analysis = 7 (mean = 2.31, median = 1)
maximum number of subtaxa (genus) = 5 (mean = 1.84, median = 1)

Basic Monophyly

number of cladograms that test basic monophyly (i.e., more than 1 included species) = 26
maximum number of included terminals = 7, (mean = 4.12 median = 3)
maximum number of subtaxa (genus) = 5 (mean = 3, median = 2)
proportion of cladograms that support basic monophyly = 0.69

Rigorous Monophyly

number of cladograms that test rigorous monophyly = 25
(Rigorous monophyly refers to cladograms with terminal species representing more than one subtaxon (genus) taxon and at least one rigorous outgroup (family).
maximum number of included terminals = 7 (mean = 4.2, median = 3)
maximum number of subtaxa (genus) = 5 (mean = 3.08, median = 2)
proportion of cladograms that support rigorous monophyly = 0.68

Pairwise Cladogram Clustering

The graphs below depict in two dimensions all pair-wise ingroup distances within the cladome. See the Cladmoics FARQ for more information.

PCoA Ordination of Velesunioninae cladogram distances
PCoA Ordination

NJ Tree of Velesunioninae cladogram distances
NJ Tree

Cladograms

Santos-Neto et al., 2016 [Publ 3739], fig. 2a_b

** Top Monophyly Cladogram ** ** Top Sister-Group Cladogram **

tT	bi	riS	oT	roT	roS	iD
6	19	20	5	14	13	1	0

                 +----- Diplodon_suavidicus__1
  +--------------+                            
  |              |  +-- Hyriini               
  |              +--+                         
  |                 +-- Castaliini            
  |                                           
  |           +-------- Westralunio **           
  |           |                               
  +-----------+     +-- Hyridella_drapeta     
  |           |  +--+                         
--+           |  |  +-- Hyridella_depressa    
  |           +--+                            
  |              |  +-- Diplodon_gratus       
  |              +--+                         
  |                 +-- Diplodon_suavidicus__2
  |                                           
  |                 +-- Hyridella_australis   
  |  +--------------+                         
  |  |              +-- Cucumerunio           
  +--+                                        
     |  +-------------- Echyridella           
     +--+                                     
        |  +----------- Velesunio_ambiguus **    
        +--+                                  
           |  +-------- Microdontia **           
           +--+                               
              |  +----- Lortiella **             
              +--+                            
                 |  +-- Alathyria **             
                 +--+                         
                    +-- Velesunio_angasi **

Graf et al., 2015 [Publ 3619], fig. 1

tT	bi	riS	oT	roT	roS	iD
7	7	5	5	13	7	1	24.5

  +-------------- Hyriinae          
  |                                 
--+  +----------- Westralunio **       
  |  |                              
  |  |     +----- Alathyria_jacksoni **
  +--+  +--+                        
     |  |  |  +-- Velesunio **         
     |  |  +--+                     
     +--+     +-- Alathyria_profuga ** 
        |                           
        |  +----- Alathyria_pertexta **
        +--+                        
           |  +-- Microdontia **       
           +--+                     
              +-- Lortiella **

Huang et al., 2019 [Publ 3843], fig. S3

tT	bi	riS	oT	roT	roS	iD
7	14	12	5	192	7	1	26.5

           +-- Westralunio **       
  +--------+                     
  |        +-- Hyriinae          
  |                              
--+     +----- Velesunio **         
  |  +--+                        
  |  |  |  +-- Alathyria_jacksoni **
  |  |  +--+                     
  +--+     +-- Alathyria_profuga ** 
     |                           
     |  +----- Alathyria_pertexta **
     +--+                        
        |  +-- Lortiella **         
        +--+                     
           +-- Microdontia **

Huang et al., 2019 [Publ 3843], fig. S4

tT	bi	riS	oT	roT	roS	iD
7	14	9	5	194	7	1	23.5

  +----------- Echyridella       
  |                              
  +----------- Westralunio **       
  |                              
  +----------- Hyridellini       
  |                              
  |     +----- Rhipidodontini    
  +-----+                        
--+     |  +-- Castaliini        
  |     +--+                     
  |        +-- Hyriini           
  |                              
  |     +----- Velesunio **         
  |  +--+                        
  |  |  |  +-- Alathyria_jacksoni **
  |  |  +--+                     
  +--+     +-- Alathyria_profuga ** 
     |                           
     |  +----- Alathyria_pertexta **
     +--+                        
        |  +-- Lortiella **         
        +--+                     
           +-- Microdontia **

Huang et al., 2019 [Publ 3843], fig. 2

tT	bi	riS	oT	roT	roS	iD
7	14	12	5	194	7	1	26.5

           +-- Westralunio **       
  +--------+                     
  |        +-- Hyriinae          
  |                              
--+     +----- Alathyria_jacksoni **
  |  +--+                        
  |  |  |  +-- Alathyria_profuga ** 
  |  |  +--+                     
  +--+     +-- Velesunio **         
     |                           
     |  +----- Alathyria_pertexta **
     +--+                        
        |  +-- Lortiella **         
        +--+                     
           +-- Microdontia **

Bolotov et al., 2016 [Publ 3743], fig. 2

tT	bi	riS	oT	roT	roS	iD
6	6	4	4	24	3	1	25.5

  +----------- Hyriinae          
  |                              
  |     +----- Microdontia **       
--+  +--+                        
  |  |  |  +-- Lortiella **         
  |  |  +--+                     
  +--+     +-- Alathyria_pertexta **
     |                           
     |  +----- Velesunio **         
     +--+                        
        |  +-- Alathyria_jacksoni **
        +--+                     
           +-- Alathyria_profuga **

Bolotov et al., 2017 [Publ 3761], fig. S1

tT	bi	riS	oT	roT	roS	iD
6	6	4	4	133	3	1	25.5

  +----------- Hyriinae          
  |                              
  |     +----- Alathyria_pertexta **
--+  +--+                        
  |  |  |  +-- Microdontia **       
  |  |  +--+                     
  +--+     +-- Lortiella **         
     |                           
     |  +----- Velesunio **         
     +--+                        
        |  +-- Alathyria_jacksoni **
        +--+                     
           +-- Alathyria_profuga **

Bolotov et al., 2017 [Publ 3761], fig. S2

tT	bi	riS	oT	roT	roS	iD
6	6	4	4	133	3	1	25.5

  +----------- Hyriinae          
  |                              
  |     +----- Velesunio **         
--+  +--+                        
  |  |  |  +-- Alathyria_jacksoni **
  |  |  +--+                     
  +--+     +-- Alathyria_profuga ** 
     |                           
     |  +----- Microdontia **       
     +--+                        
        |  +-- Alathyria_pertexta **
        +--+                     
           +-- Lortiella **

Santos-Neto et al., 2016 [Publ 3739], fig. 4

tT	bi	riS	oT	roT	roS	iD
6	13	11	5	14	13	1	16

                    +----- Diplodon_suavidicus__2
  +-----------------+                            
  |                 |  +-- Hyriini               
  |                 +--+                         
  |                    +-- Castaliini            
  |                                              
  |              +-------- Westralunio **           
--+              |                               
  |  +-----------+     +-- Hyridella_drapeta     
  |  |           |  +--+                         
  |  |           |  |  +-- Hyridella_depressa    
  |  |           +--+                            
  |  |              |  +-- Diplodon_suavidicus__1
  +--+              +--+                         
     |                 +-- Diplodon_gratus       
     |                                           
     |  +----------------- Echyridella           
     |  |                                        
     +--+              +-- Cucumerunio           
        |  +-----------+                         
        |  |           +-- Hyridella_australis   
        +--+                                     
           |  +----------- Velesunio_ambiguus **    
           +--+                                  
              |  +-------- Alathyria **             
              +--+                               
                 |  +----- Velesunio_angasi **      
                 +--+                            
                    |  +-- Lortiella **             
                    +--+                         
                       +-- Microdontia **

Bolotov et al., 2016 [Publ 3743], fig. 4

tT	bi	riS	oT	roT	roS	iD
6	6	4	4	24	3	1	25.5

  +----------- Hyriinae          
  |                              
  |     +----- Microdontia **       
--+  +--+                        
  |  |  |  +-- Alathyria_pertexta **
  |  |  +--+                     
  +--+     +-- Lortiella **         
     |                           
     |  +----- Velesunio **         
     +--+                        
        |  +-- Alathyria_jacksoni **
        +--+                     
           +-- Alathyria_profuga **

Walker et al., 2006 [Publ 2666], fig. 6

tT	bi	riS	oT	roT	roS	iD
5	5	4	3	31	5	1	22.5

  +----------------- Castaliini         
  |                                     
  +----------------- Rhipidodontini     
--+                                     
  |  +-------------- Hyridella_depressa 
  |  |                                  
  |  +-------------- Hyridella_australis
  +--+                                  
     |  +----------- Echyridella        
     |  |                               
     |  |        +-- Velesunio_ambiguus ** 
     +--+  +-----+                      
        |  |     +-- Velesunio__3 **       
        |  |                            
        +--+  +----- Velesunio__2 **       
           |  |                         
           |  |  +-- Alathyria **          
           +--+--+                      
              |  +-- Velesunio__1 **       
              |                         
              |  +-- Velesunio_angasi **   
              +--+                      
                 +-- Lortiella **

Baker et al., 2004 [Publ 2685], fig. 2-3

tT	bi	riS	oT	roT	roS	iD
3	3	4	2	6	5	1	22

              +----- Hyridella_depressa 
  +-----------+                         
  |           |  +-- Hyridella_australis
  |           +--+                      
  |              +-- Rhipidodontini     
--+                                     
  |              +-- Echyridella        
  |  +-----------+                      
  |  |           +-- Castaliini         
  |  |                                  
  +--+           +-- Velesunio__3 **       
     |  +--------+                      
     |  |        +-- Velesunio__4 **       
     +--+                               
        |  +-------- Velesunio__2 **       
        +--+                            
           |  +----- Velesunio_angasi **   
           +--+                         
              |  +-- Velesunio__1 **       
              +--+                      
                 +-- Alathyria **

Klunzinger et al., 2022 [Publ 4259], fig. 1

tT	bi	riS	oT	roT	roS	iD
3	3	1	2	1	1	1	22

  +----- Hyriinae   
--+                 
  |  +-- Velesunio **  
  +--+              
     +-- Westralunio **

Klunzinger et al., 2021 [Publ 4086], fig. 2

tT	bi	riS	oT	roT	roS	iD
3	4	2	2	3	1	1	21

  +----- Westralunio **
--+                 
  |  +-- Velesunio **  
  +--+              
     +-- Hyriinae

Hoeh et al., 2009 [Publ 2716], fig. 4

tT	bi	riS	oT	roT	roS	iD
3	3	1	2	43	6	1	20.5

  +-------- Hyriinae          
--+                           
  |  +----- Velesunio_ambiguus **
  +--+                        
     |  +-- Velesunio_angasi **  
     +--+                     
        +-- Lortiella **

Hoeh et al., 2009 [Publ 2716], fig. 5

tT	bi	riS	oT	roT	roS	iD
3	3	1	2	43	6	1	20.5

  +-------- Hyriinae          
--+                           
  |  +----- Velesunio_ambiguus **
  +--+                        
     |  +-- Velesunio_angasi **  
     +--+                     
        +-- Lortiella **

Hoeh et al., 2009 [Publ 2716], fig. 3

tT	bi	riS	oT	roT	roS	iD
3	3	1	2	44	6	1	20.5

  +-------- Hyriinae          
--+                           
  |  +----- Velesunio_ambiguus **
  +--+                        
     |  +-- Velesunio_angasi **  
     +--+                     
        +-- Lortiella **

Graf & Cummings, 2006 [Publ 1968], fig. 2

tT	bi	riS	oT	roT	roS	iD
3	3	1	2	44	6	1	20.5

  +-------- Hyriinae          
--+                           
  |  +----- Velesunio_ambiguus **
  +--+                        
     |  +-- Velesunio_angasi **  
     +--+                     
        +-- Lortiella **

Marshall et al., 2014 [Publ 3593], fig. 1

tT	bi	riS	oT	roT	roS	iD
3	3	1	2	11	7	1	22

  +----------- Echyridella       
  |                              
--+        +-- Hyridellini       
  |  +-----+                     
  |  |     +-- Rhipidodontini    
  +--+                           
     |  +----- Velesunio_ambiguus **
     +--+                        
        |  +-- Velesunio **         
        +--+                     
           +-- Lortiella **

Bogan & Hoeh, 2000 [Publ 2650], fig. 1

tT	bi	riS	oT	roT	roS	iD
2	2	0	2	32	3	1	--

        +-- Castaliini    
  +-----+                 
  |     +-- Rhipidodontini
--+                       
  |  +----- Echyridella   
  +--+                    
     |  +-- Velesunio **     
     +--+                 
        +-- Lortiella **

Hoeh et al., 2001 [Publ 2652], fig. 14f2

tT	bi	riS	oT	roT	roS	iD
2	5	0	2	29	3	1	21.5

  +----- Rhipidodontini
  |                    
  +----- Echyridella   
--+                    
  +----- Lortiella **     
  |                    
  |  +-- Castaliini    
  +--+                 
     +-- Velesunio **

Hoeh et al., 2002 [Publ 2653], fig. 2

tT	bi	riS	oT	roT	roS	iD
2	2	0	2	29	3	1	--

        +-- Castaliini    
  +-----+                 
  |     +-- Rhipidodontini
--+                       
  |  +----- Echyridella   
  +--+                    
     |  +-- Velesunio **     
     +--+                 
        +-- Lortiella **

Baker et al., 2003 [Publ 2690], fig. 5

tT	bi	riS	oT	roT	roS	iD
2	2	0	1	6	5	1	--

           +-- Hyridella_australis
  +--------+                      
  |        +-- Rhipidodontini     
--+                               
  |  +-------- Hyridella_depressa 
  +--+                            
     |  +----- Velesunio **          
     +--+                         
        |  +-- Echyridella        
        +--+                      
           +-- Castaliini

Roe & Hoeh, 2003 [Publ 2655], fig. 4f2

tT	bi	riS	oT	roT	roS	iD
2	5	0	2	29	3	1	22.5

     +-- Castaliini    
  +--+                 
  |  +-- Velesunio **     
--+                    
  |  +-- Echyridella   
  |  |                 
  +--+-- Lortiella **     
     |                 
     +-- Rhipidodontini

Roe & Hoeh, 2003 [Publ 2655], fig. 4f3

tT	bi	riS	oT	roT	roS	iD
2	2	0	2	29	3	1	--

        +-- Castaliini    
  +-----+                 
  |     +-- Rhipidodontini
--+                       
  |  +----- Echyridella   
  +--+                    
     |  +-- Velesunio **     
     +--+                 
        +-- Lortiella **

Hoeh et al., 2001 [Publ 2652], fig. 14f4

tT	bi	riS	oT	roT	roS	iD
2	2	0	2	29	3	1	--

        +-- Castaliini    
  +-----+                 
  |     +-- Rhipidodontini
--+                       
  |  +----- Echyridella   
  +--+                    
     |  +-- Lortiella **     
     +--+                 
        +-- Velesunio **

Sonowal et al., 2021 [Publ 4221], fig. 3b

tT	bi	riS	oT	roT	roS	iD
1	1	0	1	14	2	1	--

  +-- Hyriini    
  |              
--+-- Velesunio **  
  |              
  +-- Hyridellini

Combosch et al., 2017 [Publ 3806], fig. 1

tT	bi	riS	oT	roT	roS	iD
1	1	0	1	14	2	1	--

  +----- Hyriini    
--+                 
  |  +-- Velesunio **  
  +--+              
     +-- Hyridellini

Lopes-Lima et al., 2020 [Publ 4080], fig. 2-4

tT	bi	riS	oT	roT	roS	iD
1	1	0	1	121	1	1	--

  +-- Hyriinae 
--+            
  +-- Velesunio **

Guerra et al., 2019 [Publ 4168], fig. 2-M

tT	bi	riS	oT	roT	roS	iD
1	1	0	1	21	1	1	--

  +-- Hyriinae   
--+              
  +-- Westralunio **

Pfeiffer & Graf, 2015 [Publ 3620], fig. 2

tT	bi	riS	oT	roT	roS	iD
1	1	0	1	39	3	1	--

  +-- Velesunio **
--+            
  +-- Hyriinae

González & Giribet, 2015 [Publ 3632], fig. 4

tT	bi	riS	oT	roT	roS	iD
1	1	0	1	5	0	0	--

-- Velesunio_ambiguus **

Guerra et al., 2019 [Publ 4168], fig. 1-M

tT	bi	riS	oT	roT	roS	iD
1	1	0	1	21	1	1	--

  +-- Hyriinae   
--+              
  +-- Westralunio **

Wu et al., 2021 [Publ 4366], fig. 2_I

tT	bi	riS	oT	roT	roS	iD
1	1	0	1	90	2	1	--

  +-- Alathyria **
--+            
  +-- Hyriinae

Elderkin et al., 2016 [Publ 3693], fig. 2

tT	bi	riS	oT	roT	roS	iD
1	1	0	1	2	0	0	--

-- Velesunio_ambiguus **

Guerra et al., 2019 [Publ 4168], fig. 2

tT	bi	riS	oT	roT	roS	iD
1	1	0	1	40	4	1	--

  +-- Westralunio **
--+              
  +-- Hyriinae

Lopes-Lima et al., 2018 [Publ 3829], fig. 3

tT	bi	riS	oT	roT	roS	iD
1	1	0	1	27	2	1	--

  +----- Hyriini    
--+                 
  |  +-- Velesunio **  
  +--+              
     +-- Hyridellini

Plazzi et al., 2011 [Publ 3676], fig. 5

tT	bi	riS	oT	roT	roS	iD
1	1	0	1	17	0	0	--

-- Alathyria_jacksoni **

Sano et al., 2020 [Publ 4138], fig. 4

tT	bi	riS	oT	roT	roS	iD
1	1	0	1	67	2	1	--

  +----- Hyriini    
--+                 
  |  +-- Hyridellini
  +--+              
     +-- Velesunio **

Graf, 2002 [Publ 2651], fig. 2

tT	bi	riS	oT	roT	roS	iD
1	1	0	1	17	3	1	--

  +-- Velesunio **
--+            
  +-- Hyriinae

Bieler et al., 2014 [Publ 3622], fig. 28

tT	bi	riS	oT	roT	roS	iD
1	1	0	1	4	0	0	--

-- Velesunio_ambiguus **

Graf & Ó Foighil, 2000 [Publ 2649], fig. 1_2

tT	bi	riS	oT	roT	roS	iD
1	1	0	1	10	5	1	--

  +-- Velesunio **
--+            
  +-- Hyriinae

González & Giribet, 2015 [Publ 3632], fig. 6

tT	bi	riS	oT	roT	roS	iD
1	1	0	1	5	0	0	--

-- Velesunio_ambiguus **

Wu et al., 2020 [Publ 4121], fig. 2

tT	bi	riS	oT	roT	roS	iD
1	1	0	1	33	2	1	--

  +----- Hyriini    
--+                 
  |  +-- Hyridellini
  +--+              
     +-- Velesunio **

Sonowal et al., 2021 [Publ 4221], fig. 4

tT	bi	riS	oT	roT	roS	iD
1	1	0	1	15	2	1	--

  +----- Hyriini    
--+                 
  |  +-- Velesunio **  
  +--+              
     +-- Hyridellini

Pfeiffer & Graf, 2013 [Publ 3531], fig. 2

tT	bi	riS	oT	roT	roS	iD
1	1	0	1	30	0	0	--

-- Velesunio_ambiguus **

González & Giribet, 2015 [Publ 3632], fig. 2

tT	bi	riS	oT	roT	roS	iD
1	1	0	1	5	0	0	--

-- Velesunio_ambiguus **

Guerra et al., 2019 [Publ 4168], fig. 1

tT	bi	riS	oT	roT	roS	iD
1	1	0	1	40	4	1	--

        +-- Echyridella   
  +-----+                 
  |     +-- Westralunio **   
--+                       
  |  +----- Rhipidodontini
  +--+                    
     |  +-- Castaliini    
     +--+                 
        +-- Hyriini

Lopes-Lima et al., 2018 [Publ 3829], fig. 1

tT	bi	riS	oT	roT	roS	iD
1	1	0	1	27	2	1	--

  +----- Hyriini    
--+                 
  |  +-- Velesunio **  
  +--+              
     +-- Hyridellini

Combosch et al., 2017 [Publ 3806], fig. 2

tT	bi	riS	oT	roT	roS	iD
1	1	0	1	14	2	1	--

  +-- Velesunio **
--+            
  +-- Hyriinae

Sonowal et al., 2021 [Publ 4221], fig. 3a

tT	bi	riS	oT	roT	roS	iD
1	1	0	1	14	2	1	--

  +-- Hyriini    
  |              
--+-- Hyridellini
  |              
  +-- Velesunio **

González & Giribet, 2015 [Publ 3632], fig. 3

tT	bi	riS	oT	roT	roS	iD
1	1	0	1	5	0	0	--

-- Velesunio_ambiguus **

Huang et al., 2018 [Publ 3828], fig. 3_5

tT	bi	riS	oT	roT	roS	iD
1	1	0	1	28	2	1	--

  +----- Hyriini    
--+                 
  |  +-- Velesunio **  
  +--+              
     +-- Hyridellini

Wu et al., 2020 [Publ 4121], fig. S1

tT	bi	riS	oT	roT	roS	iD
1	1	0	1	33	2	1	--

  +----- Hyriini    
--+                 
  |  +-- Hyridellini
  +--+              
     +-- Velesunio **

Graf, 2000 [Publ 2647], fig. 1

tT	bi	riS	oT	roT	roS	iD
1	1	0	1	16	3	1	--

  +-------- Castaliini    
--+                       
  |  +----- Rhipidodontini
  +--+                    
     |  +-- Hyridellini   
     +--+                 
        +-- Velesunio **

Sano et al., 2020 [Publ 4138], fig. 3

tT	bi	riS	oT	roT	roS	iD
1	1	0	1	67	2	1	--

  +----- Hyriini    
--+                 
  |  +-- Hyridellini
  +--+              
     +-- Velesunio **

Whelan et al., 2011 [Publ 3380], fig. 1-ML

tT	bi	riS	oT	roT	roS	iD
1	1	0	1	35	3	1	--

  +-- Velesunio **
--+            
  +-- Hyriinae

Whelan et al., 2011 [Publ 3380], fig. 1-MP

tT	bi	riS	oT	roT	roS	iD
1	1	0	1	35	3	1	--

  +-- Velesunio **
--+            
  +-- Hyriinae

Lopes-Lima et al., 2017 [Publ 3745], fig. 1-2

tT	bi	riS	oT	roT	roS	iD
1	1	0	1	79	1	1	--

  +-- Hyriinae 
--+            
  +-- Velesunio **

Sano et al., 2020 [Publ 4138], fig. 2

tT	bi	riS	oT	roT	roS	iD
1	1	0	1	67	2	1	--

  +----- Hyriini    
--+                 
  |  +-- Hyridellini
  +--+              
     +-- Velesunio **

Bieler et al., 2014 [Publ 3622], fig. 26_27_29_30

tT	bi	riS	oT	roT	roS	iD
1	1	0	1	4	0	0	--

-- Velesunio_ambiguus **

Wu et al., 2021 [Publ 4366], fig. 6

tT	bi	riS	oT	roT	roS	iD
1	1	0	1	90	2	1	--

  +-- Alathyria **
--+            
  +-- Hyriinae

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