Vaga, C. F.; Migotto, A. E.; Santos, M. E. A.; Honji, R. M.; Reimer, J.; Kitahara, M. V. (2021). An integrative approach reveals a new species of Zoantharia (Cnidaria, Anthozoa), Terrazoanthus silveirai, in the South-western Atlantic Ocean. Marine Biology Research. 17(7-8): 603-614.
Vaga, C. F.; Migotto, A. E.; Santos, M. E. A.; Honji, R. M.; Reimer, J.; Kitahara, M. V.
2021
An integrative approach reveals a new species of Zoantharia (Cnidaria, Anthozoa), <i>Terrazoanthus silveirai</i>, in the South-western Atlantic Ocean
Marine Biology Research
17(7-8): 603-614
Publication
Available for editors
The recently erected macrocnemic family Hydrozoanthidae comprises relatively few species
recorded from tropical and subtropical regions. In the Atlantic Ocean, this family has been
reported only from three locations: the Caribbean Sea, the Argentine continental shelf and
the Cape Verde Islands. Based on a study of colonies collected during scuba diving at
Alcatrazes Archipelago’s main island (São Paulo State), south-eastern Brazil, a new species
belonging to the genus Terrazoanthus is described as T. silveirai sp. nov. Vaga, Migotto &
Kitahara. Morphological and ecological observations coupled with molecular analyses
revealed a unique cnidome, a novel facultative association with sponges, and confirmed the
phylogenetic position of this new species within Hydrozoanthidae. Our results represent the
second record of Hydrozoanthidae and Terrazoanthus from the South-western Atlantic,
expanding the sparse taxonomic knowledge of the order Zoantharia in this area.