Uncovering hidden coral diversity: a new cryptic lobophylliid scleractinian from the Indian Ocean

Arrigoni, Roberto; Berumen, Michael L.; Stolarski, Jarosław; Terraneo, Tullia Isotta; Benzoni, Francesca

doi:10.1111/cla.12346

Cited by 29 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 124 publications

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“…This follows a recent taxonomic revision along with two new species described that have overhauled the species ranges of existing species (Arrigoni et al 2016a). Our phylogenetic inference is broadly congruent with the results of the revision (Arrigoni et al 2016a; see also Arrigoni et al 2016bArrigoni et al , 2019Huang et al 2016), though it also reveals a paraphyletic M. amakusensis and may foreshadow further taxonomic changes.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 83%

“…Our phylogeny reconstruction recovers the same genus clades as Arrigoni et al (2016a) and Huang et al (2016) (Fig. 2; see also Arrigoni et al 2016bArrigoni et al , 2019. In particular, Micromussa forms a sister clade to Homophyllia (bootstrap support or BS = 71, posterior probability or PP = 1), and both are a strong sister group to Australophyllia wilsoni (BS = 100, PP = 1).…”

Section: Phylogenetic Analysissupporting

confidence: 60%

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New genus and species record of reef coral Micromussa amakusensis in the southern South China Sea

Jain

Nguyen

et al. 2019

Mar Biodivers Rec

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Background: Recent taxonomic revisions of zooxanthellate scleractinian coral taxa have inevitably resulted in confusion regarding the geographic ranges of even the most well-studied species. For example, the recorded distribution ranges of Stylophora pistillata and Pocillopora damicornis, two of the most intensely researched experimental subjects, have been restricted dramatically due to confounding cryptic species. Micromussa is an Indo-Pacific genus that has been revised recently. The revision incorporated five new members and led to substantial range restriction of its type species and only initial member M. amakusensis to Japan and the Coral Triangle. Here, we report the presence of Micromussa amakusensis in Singapore using phylogenetic methods. Results: A total of seven M. amakusensis colonies were recorded via SCUBA surveys at four coral reef sites south of mainland Singapore, including two artificial seawall sites. Colonies were found encrusting on dead coral skeletons or bare rocky substrate between 2 and 5 m in depth. Morphological examination and phylogenetic analyses support the identity of these colonies as M. amakusensis, but the phylogeny reconstruction also shows that they form relatively distinct branches with unexpected lineage diversity. Conclusions: Our results and verified geographic records of M. amakusensis illustrate that, outside the type locality in Japan, the species can also be found widely in the South China Sea. Moreover, our discovery provides a new genus and species record in Singapore and represents the southern-most occurrence of the species in the Indo-Pacific. Despite the extensive survey efforts in Singapore over the last three decades, taxonomic studies integrating morphological and molecular methods remain instrumental in quantifying the actual coral species diversity.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 83%

Section: Phylogenetic Analysissupporting

confidence: 60%

New genus and species record of reef coral Micromussa amakusensis in the southern South China Sea

Jain

Nguyen

et al. 2019

Mar Biodivers Rec

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“…The notation also provides a hyperlink to the factsheet available on the CoTW webpage (http://www.coralsoftheworld.org/page/home/). Veron et al (2019) is an electronic source that has evolved from the printed worldwide overview of reefdwelling Scleractinia by Veron (2000), while Hoeksema and Cairns (2019) is based on published taxonomic revisions of various scleractinian families and genera, partly based on molecular analyses and/or on the re-examination of type specimens and other museum material (Wallace 1999;Wallace et al 2007Wallace et al , 2012Hoeksema 2009Hoeksema , 2012aHoeksema , 2012bHoeksema , 2014Benzoni et al 2010Benzoni et al , 2011Benzoni et al , 2012aBenzoni et al , 2014Gittenberger et al 2011;Huang et al 2011Huang et al , 2014aHuang et al , 2014bHuang et al , 2016Budd et al 2012;Arrigoni et al 2014Arrigoni et al , 2015Arrigoni et al , 2016aArrigoni et al , 2016bArrigoni et al , 2017Arrigoni et al , 2018aKitano et al 2014;Schmidt-Roach et al 2014;Terraneo et al 2016Terraneo et al , 2017.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Annotated checklist for stony corals of American Sāmoa with reference to mesophotic depth records

Montgomery¹,

Fenner²,

Toonen³

2019

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An annotated checklist of the stony corals (Scleractinia, Milleporidae, Stylasteridae, and Helioporidae) of American Sāmoa is presented. A total of 377 valid species has been reported from American Sāmoa with 342 species considered either present (251) or possibly present (91). Of these 342 species, 66 have a recorded geographical range extension and 90 have been reported from mesophotic depths (30–150 m). Additionally, four new species records (AcanthastreasubechinataVeron, 2000,FavitesparaflexuosusVeron, 2000,EchinophylliaechinoporoidesVeron & Pichon, 1980,TurbinariairregularisBernard, 1896) are presented. Coral species of concern include species listed under the US Endangered Species Act (ESA) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Red List of threatened species. Approximately 17.5% of the species present or possibly present are categorized as threatened by IUCN compared to 27% of the species globally. American Sāmoa has seven ESA-listed or ESA candidate species, includingAcroporaglobiceps(Dana, 1846),AcroporajacquelineaeWallace, 1994,Acroporaretusa(Dana, 1846),Acroporaspeciosa(Quelch, 1886),Fimbriaphylliaparadivisa(Veron, 1990),Isoporacrateriformis(Gardiner, 1898), andPocilloporameandrinaDana, 1846. There are two additional species possibly present, i.e.,Pavonadiffluens(Lamarck, 1816) andPoritesnapoporaVeron, 2000.

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“…Molecular phylogenetic analyses have also contributed to the discovery of hidden coral species (Arrigoni et al, 2016a(Arrigoni et al, , b, 2019, resulting from molecular analyses using nuclear markers such as internal transcribed spacers (ITS) of ribosomal RNA gene and the intron region of the ß-tubulin gene. These were described as new species after detailed morphological analyses (Arrigoni et al, 2016a(Arrigoni et al, , b, 2017(Arrigoni et al, , 2019Baird et al, 2017). In addition, extensive phylogeographic research with microsatellite markers also contributed to the discovery of cryptic lineages.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fungia fungites (Linnaeus, 1758) (Scleractinia, Fungiidae) is a species complex that conceals large phenotypic variation and a previously unrecognized genus

et al. 2020

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Recent molecular phylogenetic analyses of scleractinian corals have resulted in the discovery of cryptic lineages. To understand species diversity in corals, these lineages need to be taxonomically defined. In the present study, we report the discovery of a distinct lineage obscured by the traditional morphological variation of Fungia fungites. This taxon exists as two distinct morphs: attached and unattached. Molecular phylogenetic analyses using mitochondrial COI and nuclear ITS markers as well as morphological comparisons were performed to clarify their phylogenetic relationships and taxonomic positions. Molecular data revealed that F. fungites consists of two genetically distinct clades (A and B). Clade A is sister to a lineage including Danafungia scruposa and Halomitra pileus, while clade B formed an independent lineage genetically distant from these three species. The two morphs were also found to be included in both clades, although the attached morph was predominantly found in clade A. Morphologically, both clades were statistically different in density of septal dentation, septal number, and septal teeth shape. These results indicate that F. fungites as presently recognized is actually a species complex including at least two species. After checking type specimens, we conclude that specimens in clade A represent true F. fungites with two morphs (unattached and attached) and that all of those in clade B represent an unknown species and genus comprising an unattached morph with only one exception. These findings suggest that more unrecognized taxa with hitherto unnoticed morphological differences can be present among scleractinian corals.

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Uncovering hidden coral diversity: a new cryptic lobophylliid scleractinian from the Indian Ocean

Cited by 29 publications

References 124 publications

New genus and species record of reef coral Micromussa amakusensis in the southern South China Sea

New genus and species record of reef coral Micromussa amakusensis in the southern South China Sea

Annotated checklist for stony corals of American Sāmoa with reference to mesophotic depth records

Fungia fungites (Linnaeus, 1758) (Scleractinia, Fungiidae) is a species complex that conceals large phenotypic variation and a previously unrecognized genus

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