A new species of anthothelid octocoral (Cnidaria, Alcyonacea) discovered on an algal reef of Taiwan.

ABSTRACT: A molecular phylogenetic analysis of 132 octocoral species reveals a close relationship between specimens collected from the intertidal pools of the Datan Algal Reef, Taoyuan, Taiwan, and Erythropodiumcaribaeorum (Duchassaing & Michelotti, 1860), but the two species have distinct morphological features. On the basis of morphological differences in polyps and sclerites, we identify and describe a new Erythropodium species: E.taoyuanensis sp. nov. The distinct identifying features of E.taoyuanensis sp. nov. include the upright contractile polyps from thin encrusting membranes and abundant 6-radiate sclerites. Using an integrative approach, we present the findings of morphological comparisons and molecular phylogenetic analyses to demonstrate that

SUBMITTER: Tu TH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8942965 | biostudies-literature | 2022

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature