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McFadden, C.S.; van Ofwegen, L.P.; Beckman, E.J.; Benayahu, Y.; Alderslade, P. (2009). Molecular systematics of the speciose Indo-Pacific soft coral genus, Sinularia (Anthozoa: Octocorallia). Invertebrate Biology. 128(4): 303-323.
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McFadden, C.S.; van Ofwegen, L.P.; Beckman, E.J.; Benayahu, Y.; Alderslade, P.
2009
Molecular systematics of the speciose Indo-Pacific soft coral genus, Sinularia (Anthozoa: Octocorallia)
Invertebrate Biology
128(4): 303-323
Publication
Available for editors
The speciose tropical soft coral genus Sinularia traditionally has been divided into
five intrageneric taxonomic groups based on variation in a single morphological character:
the shape of the club sclerites (calcite skeletal elements) embedded in the surface tissues of the
colony. To test the phylogenetic utility of this system of classification, we used a 735-bp
fragment of the octocoral-specific mitochondrial msh1 gene to construct a molecular phylogeny
that included 80 of the B150 recognized morphospecies of Sinularia. The msh1 phylogeny
recovered five well-supported clades, but they were not congruent with the traditional
intrageneric taxonomic groups. Mapping of characters onto the tree suggested that the five
major clades plus several additional sub-clades of Sinularia can be distinguished based on a
suite of four morphological characters; these include the presence of sclerites in the tentacle,
collaret, and point regions of the polyps, in addition to the shape of the club sclerites in the
surface tissues. The overall growth form of the colony also distinguishes some clades. Polyp
sclerites have for the most part been overlooked taxonomically in Sinularia, and as a result
information on these characters is lacking or is incorrect in many species descriptions. As has
been the case in other recent studies of lower metazoan groups, construction of a molecular
phylogeny has led us to recognize the phylogenetic and taxonomic importance of previously
overlooked morphological characters. A revised taxonomic key that includes these characters
is already improving our ability to discriminate species boundaries, and facilitating description
of new Sinularia species.
Dampia Alderslade, 1983 accepted as Sclerophytum Pratt, 1903 (source of synonymy)
Dampia pocilloporaeformis Alderslade, 1983 accepted as Sclerophytum pocilloporaeforme (Aldersladum, 1983) (source of synonymy) Sinularia pocilloporaeformis (Alderslade, 1983) accepted as Sclerophytum pocilloporaeforme (Aldersladum, 1983) (source of synonymy) |