Coded descriptive dataset
The information of the whole collection of data of each species, result in a dataset as synthesized in table 1, this is the final morphologic description outcome and represents the complete and up to date set of information for each studied species. However, it is dynamic and open to additional information, when available.
The coded dataset is hierarchically ordered in four columns namely, Tagma, Segment, Chaetal field and Morphological unit (Table 1), a fifth column is inserted with the coded information of the species (Fig. 1). The lines of the resulting dataset bring the different features of the chaetotaxy and general morphology (e.g., eyes, foot complex). The cells in the column of morphological unit, are the actual features to be observed in the specimen, where each one is a recognizable morphological unit of the animal whole morphology, that is described and coded in the character list (Appendix 1).
Using an example of a defined character and its code according to appendix 1, we have: Antennal / ANT / ANT M + L / 3+1+3 4(9)3(7), were Antennal indicates the segment, ANT is the chaetal field (see Fig. 1A), ANT M+L is the morphologic unit, 3+1+3 are the observed chaetae in the respective chaetal field (3 paired and 1 axial according to bilateral simetry), and 4(9)3(10) means that there are four type “9” chaetae, and three type “7” chaetae (total 7 chaetae or 3 +1+3), the types are defined by comparison among the photos in figure 8. To the combination of chaetae number and type is given a numeric code (this example is coded 0 in the character list Appendix 1).