Hydrodynamic Facilitation and Constraint of Dispersal between Isolated Habitats.
1997
Mullineaux, Lauren S.
The specific goal of this AASERT project is to use molecular techniques to resolve phylogenetic questions within the anthozoans (phylum Cnidaria). The study focuses on current controversies over the ordinal divisions within the Subclass Octocorallia, and the subclass divisions within the Class Anthozoa. To date, fill sequences of the 188 rRNA gene have been generated for 51 specimens collected fresh or obtained preserved from museum collections. Preliminary analyses of octocoral sequences do not support the traditional taxonomic classification of this group at the ordinal and subordinal levels. The order Pennatulacea, which was previously considered a well-supported group morphologically, is proving to be polyphyletic, as are some of the families. Results from the subclass-level analyses show that the two orders within the subclass Ceriantipatharia are not monophyletic. These new observations on genetic relationships among species within the class Anthozoa will bring about a substantial revision of the taxonomy of this group at the sub-class and ordinal levels. In doing so, this project will change our understanding of the evolution of this group, whose members include major components of the faunas in many patchy, isolated habitats, including seamounts and coral reefs.
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