Mitogenomics suggests a sister relationship of Relicanthus daphneae (Cnidaria: Anthozoa: Hexacorallia: incerti ordinis) with Actiniaria.

ABSTRACT: Relicanthus daphneae (formerly Boloceroides daphneae) was first described in 2006 as a giant sea anemone based on morphology. In 2014, its classification was challenged based on molecular data: using five genes, Relicanthus was resolved sister to zoanthideans, but with mixed support. To better understand the evolutionary relationship of Relicanthus with other early-branching metazoans, we present 15 newly-sequenced sea anemone mitochondrial genomes and a mitogenome-based phylogeny including all major cnidarian groups, sponges, and placozoans. Our phylogenetic reconstruction reveals a moderately supported sister relationship between Relicanthus and the Actiniaria. Morphologically, the cnidae of Relicanthus has apical flaps, the only existing synapomorphy for sea anemones. Based on both mole

SUBMITTER: Xiao M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6890759 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature