Dataset Information

Stylobates birtlesi sp. n., a new species of carcinoecium-forming sea anemone (Cnidaria, Actiniaria, Actiniidae) from eastern Australia.

ABSTRACT: We describe a new species of carcinoecium-forming sea anemone, Stylobates birtlesisp. n., from sites 590-964 m deep in the Coral Sea, off the coast of Queensland, Australia. An anemone of this genus settles on a gastropod shell inhabited by a hermit crab, then covers and extends the shell to produce a chitinous structure termed a carcinoecium. Stylobates birtlesisp. n. is symbiotic with the hermit crab Sympagurus trispinosus (Balss, 1911). The nature of marginal sphincter muscle and nematocyst size and distribution distinguish Stylobates birtlesi sp. n. from other species in the genus. The four known species of Stylobates are allopatric, each inhabiting a separate ocean basin of the Indo-West Pacific. We also extend the known range of Stylobates loisetteae in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Western Australia.

SUBMITTER: Crowther AL

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3082962 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Stylobates birtlesi sp. n., a new species of carcinoecium-forming sea anemone (Cnidaria, Actiniaria, Actiniidae) from eastern Australia.

Crowther Andrea L AL Fautin Daphne G DG Wallace Carden C CC

ZooKeys 20110411 89

We describe a new species of carcinoecium-forming sea anemone, Stylobates birtlesisp. n., from sites 590-964 m deep in the Coral Sea, off the coast of Queensland, Australia. An anemone of this genus settles on a gastropod shell inhabited by a hermit crab, then covers and extends the shell to produce a chitinous structure termed a carcinoecium. Stylobates birtlesisp. n. is symbiotic with the hermit crab Sympagurus trispinosus (Balss, 1911). The nature of marginal sphincter muscle and nematocyst s ...[more]

PMID: 21594082

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Project description:Sea anemones (Cnidaria, Actiniaria) are a successful group of marine invertebrates found in a diverse range of environments globally. In spite of their ubiquity, identities for many sea anemones remain unverified, especially those from the Indo-West Pacific region. Here, we clarify the taxonomy of the poorly known Macrodactyla aspera, a shallow-water species first described from the Torres Straits in northern Australia. We re-describe M. aspera based on new morphological and molecular data gathered from the type specimen, other museum vouchers, and from fresh material collected from Singapore. We tested the monophyly of Macrodactyla using three mitochondrial (12S, 16S and cox3) and one nuclear (28S) marker based on three congeners, recovering this genus to be polyphyletic. As a consequence, we transferred M. doreensis to the genus Heteractis, and describe a new species, Macrodactyla fautinae sp. nov. While both M. aspera and M. fautinae sp. nov. share the same arrangement and number of complete mesenteries, a similar distribution of cnidae, and are not symbiotically associated with any other biota, M. fautinae sp. nov. has perforated, lobe-like verrucae on its column, and lacks nematocyst batteries on its tentacles, unlike M. aspera. These two species also occur in similar habitats in Singapore. Finally, because M. aspera strongly resembles Dofleinia armata, the latter species flagged as a danger to public health due to its ability to inflict painful stings, we tested the relationship between these species and found them not to be closely related. However, tentacles of M. aspera, like D. armata, are densely covered with nematocyst batteries and harbour large nematocysts; we infer that M. aspera may also be capable of delivering stings that endanger public health. This study builds upon a growing number of studies that aim to ascertain identities and systematics of sea anemones historically reported from the Indo-West Pacific. Our findings will facilitate accurate species identification, which is crucial for advancing research, formulating conservation measures, and protecting public health.

Project description:BackgroundDiadumene lineata is one of the most widespread sea anemone species worldwide. Although this species has been reported a few times on the Argentine coast since 2004, its identification has traditionally been based on external morphological characteristics, and in most cases no voucher specimens are available to support previous records.MethodsIn this study, we obtained DNA sequences of two mitochondrial markers (12S and 16S) and two nuclear markers (18S and 28S) from specimens of D. lineata collected in two locations on the Argentine coast separated by almost 800 km. Additionally, we conducted an analysis of the morphology, as well as the types and size ranges of cnidae, using specimens collected at three different locations along the Argentine coast. Furthermore, since introduced populations of D. lineata are presumably ephemeral and only reproduce asexually outside their native range, we examined the internal anatomy of representatives from the Argentine coast for gametogenic tissue as an indication of whether they might be capable of sexual reproduction.ResultsDNA data support our morphological identification, including cnidae analyses, of the specimens as D. lineata. Furthermore, all specimens examined were determined to be sterile.DiscussionGenetic sequence comparisons, phylogenetic reconstruction, and cnidae data support the identification of individuals of D. lineata from Mar Chiquita and Garipe Beach, confirming the presence of the species on the Argentine coast using both morphological and molecular tools. The absence of fertile specimens suggests that each sampled population is likely reproducing only by asexual reproduction and possibly composed of clones. The presence of an additional category of longer p-mastigophores B2a in the actinopharynx and filaments, as well as holotrichs in the column, is also reported.ConclusionsFor the first time, we have confirmed the presence of D. lineata in Argentina through molecular data. Additionally, our findings indicate that the analyzed specimens are sterile, suggesting that this species is not engaging in sexual reproduction in the studied localities. It is crucial to continue monitoring the populations of D. lineata along the Argentine coast to assess whether they establish sexual reproduction, expand their distribution range or disappear, or potentially cause any harm to local species or alterations in benthic communities.

Dataset Information

Stylobates birtlesi sp. n., a new species of carcinoecium-forming sea anemone (Cnidaria, Actiniaria, Actiniidae) from eastern Australia.

Publications

Stylobates birtlesi sp. n., a new species of carcinoecium-forming sea anemone (Cnidaria, Actiniaria, Actiniidae) from eastern Australia.

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