Barcoding and mitochondrial phylogenetics of Porites corals.

ABSTRACT: Coral reefs are the most diverse ecosystem on the planet based on the abundance and diversity of phyla and higher taxa. However, it is still difficult to assess the diversity of lower taxa, especially at the species level. One tool for improving the identification of lower taxa are genetic markers that can distinguish cryptic species and assess species boundaries. Here, we present one such approach for an important and challenging group of reef-building corals. Porites corals are the main reef-builders of many coral reefs in the Indo-Pacific, owing to the massive growth forms of some species. The current number of valid Porites species is controversial, inflated with many synonymies, and often based on gross colony morphology although several morphospecies believed to be widespread and com

SUBMITTER: Combosch DJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10868756 | biostudies-literature | 2024

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature