Horowitz et al. 2020

Morphological and molecular description of a new genus and species of black coral (Cnidaria: Anthozoa: Hexacorallia: Antipatharia: Antipathidae: Blastopathes) from Papua New Guinea

Horowitz J, Brugler MR, Bridge TCL, Cowman PF

scientific article Zootaxa
Abstract

Blastopathes medusa gen. nov., sp. nov., is described from Kimbe Bay, Papua New Guinea, based on morphological and molecular data. Blastopathes, assigned to the Antipathidae, is a large, mythology-inspiring black coral characterized by clusters of elongate stem-like branches that extend out at their base and then curve upward. Colonies are not pinnulate and contain single branches, which could represent new branch cluster formations. Morphological and molecular (mitochondrial DNA and targeted capture of nuclear loci) evidence supporting the establishment of a new genus is discussed. This is the first study to utilize the target capture of ultraconserved elements (UCEs) and exonic loci to elucidate phylogenetic relationships among black corals and to identify and place a new genus and species.

Behind the Science
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Depth Range
30–37 m
Mesophotic Mentions
0 × (total of 5276 words)
Classification
  • Presents original data
  • Reports new species
  • Focused on 'mesophotic' depth range
  • Focused on 'mesophotic coral ecosystem'
Fields
Taxonomy
Locations
Papua New Guinea
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