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Phylogenetic position and taxonomy of Cycloseris explanulata and C. wellsi (Scleractinia: Fungiidae): lost mushroom corals find their way home

In: Contributions to Zoology
Authors:
Francesca Benzoni Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences University of Milano-Bicocca Piazza della Scienza 2 20126 Milan Italy
Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, UMR227 Coreus2 101 Promenade Roger Laroque BP A5, 98848 Noumea Cedex New Caledonia
E:mail: francesca.benzoni@unimib.it

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Roberto Arrigoni Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences University of Milano-Bicocca Piazza della Scienza 2 20126 Milan Italy

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Fabrizio Stefani Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences University of Milano-Bicocca Piazza della Scienza 2 20126 Milan Italy

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Bastian T. Reijnen Department of Marine Zoology Netherlands Centre for Biodiversity Naturalis PO Box 9517 2300 RA Leiden The Netherlands

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Simone Montano Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences University of Milano-Bicocca Piazza della Scienza 2 20126 Milan Italy

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Bert W. Hoeksema Department of Marine Zoology Netherlands Centre for Biodiversity Naturalis PO Box 9517 2300 RA Leiden The Netherlands

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Online Publication Date:
04 Jul 2012
Open Access

The scleractinian species Psammocora explanulata and Coscinaraea wellsi were originally classified in the family Siderastreidae, but in a recent morpho-molecular study it appeared that they are more closely related to each other and to the Fungiidae than to any siderastreid taxon. A subsequent morpho-molecular study of the Fungiidae provided new insights regarding the phylogenetic relationships within that family. In the present study existing molecular data sets of both families were analyzed jointly with those of new specimens and sequences of P. explanulata and C. wellsi. The results indicate that both species actually belong to the Cycloseris clade within the family Fungiidae. A reappraisal of their morphologic characters based on museum specimens and recently collected material substantiate the molecular results. Consequently, they are renamed Cycloseris explanulata and C. wellsi. They are polystomatous and encrusting like C. mokai, another species recently added to the genus, whereas all Cycloseris species were initially thought to be monostomatous and free-living. In the light of the new findings, the taxonomy and distribution data of C. explanulata and C. wellsi have been updated and revised. Finally, the ecological implications of the evolutionary history of the three encrusting polystomatous Cycloseris species and their free-living monostomatous congeners are discussed.

Title:
Phylogenetic position and taxonomy of Cycloseris explanulata and C. wellsi (Scleractinia: Fungiidae): lost mushroom corals find their way home
Article Type:
Research Article
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1163/18759866-08103001
Language:
English
Pages:
125–146
Keywords:
COI; Coscinaraea wellsi; Psammocora explanulata; rDNA
In:
Contributions to Zoology
In:
Volume 81: Issue 3
Received:
06 Oct 2011
Accepted:
04 Apr 2012
Publisher:
Brill
E-ISSN:
1875-9866
Print ISSN:
1383-4517
Subjects:
Zoology, Biology, Biology & Environmental Sciences

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