Phylogeny of the order Zoantharia (Anthozoa,Hexacorallia) based on the mitochondrial ribosomal genes |
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Authors: | Email author" target="_blank">F?SinnigerEmail author J?I?Montoya-Burgos P?Chevaldonné J?Pawlowski |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Zoology and Animal Biology, Molecular Systematic Group, Science III, University of Geneva, 30 quai Ernest-Ansermet, 1211 Genève 4, Switzerland;(2) Centre d’Océanologie de Marseille, UMR CNRS 6540 DIMAR, Station Marine d’Endoume, rue de la Batterie des Lions, Université de la Méditerranée, 13007 Marseille, France |
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Abstract: | Zoantharia (or Zoanthidea) is the third largest order of Hexacorallia, characterised by two rows of tentacles, one siphonoglyph
and a colonial way of life. Current systematics of Zoantharia is based exclusively on morphology and follows the traditional
division of the group into the two suborders Brachycnemina and Macrocnemina, each comprising several poorly defined genera
and species. To resolve the phylogenetic relationships among Zoantharia, we have analysed the sequences of mitochondrial 16S
and 12S rRNA genes obtained from 24 specimens, representing two suborders and eight genera. In view of our data, Brachycnemina
appears as a monophyletic group diverging within the paraphyletic Macrocnemina. The macrocnemic genus Epizoanthus branches as the sister group to all other Zoantharia that are sampled. All examined genera are monophyletic, except Parazoanthus, which comprises several independently branching clades and individual sequences. Among Parazoanthus, some groups of species can be defined by particular insertion/deletion patterns in the DNA sequences. All these clades show
specificity to a particular type of substrate such as sponges or hydrozoans. Substrate specificity is also observed in zoantharians
living on gorgonians or anthipatharians, as in the genus Savalia (Gerardia). If confirmed by further studies, the substrate specificity could be used as reliable character for taxonomic identification
of some Macrocnemina. |
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