11th ICRS Abstract book - Nova Southeastern University

Poster Mini-Symposium 26: Biodiversity and Diversification of Reef Organisms
26.1202
We Are Family: Phylogenetic Analysis Of Family Level Relationships Among
Scleractinian Corals (Cnidaria, Anthozoa)
Joel STAKE* 1 , Cherissre BOATENG 1 , Elisha JNO-BAPTISTE 1 , Sandra ROMANO 1
1 Division of Science and Math, University of the Virgin Islands, St. Thomas, Virgin
Islands (U.S.)
The order Scleractinia consists of 25 families comprised of more than 1300 species.
Morphological characters have always been the basis of the taxonomy for this group.
High levels of variability in the morphological characters coupled with difficulties in
identifying homologies have made understanding the relationships within the order
particularly difficult. Recent molecular phylogenetic data do not support hypotheses of
relationships based on traditional taxonomy. Molecular phylogenetic analyses suggest the
order is divided into two large clades that diverged early in the evolutionary history of the
group. While there is strong molecular evidence for this major split, there has been little
progress in resolving relationships of genera and families within each of these clades. We
are analyzing approximately 5400 bp total from the complete nuclear 18S and 28S
ribosomal RNA gene regions as well as partial sequences from the mitochondrial 16S and
COI gene regions. Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian methods are being used to analyze
a dataset consisting of representatives from each of the 25 families in the order. Inclusion
of complete gene regions from a wider sampling of taxa, as many azooxanthellate taxa as
possible, and multiple genera from polyphyletic families will lead to better resolution of
relationships among genera and families within the two large clades supported by
molecular data.
26.1203
Rapid Speciation, Allopatric Differentiation, And Simple Morphology Confound
True Diversity Of Some Of The Largest Mobile Reef Invertebrates (Actinopyga,
Holothuroidea, Echinodermata)
Kris NETCHY* 1
1 Marine Laboratory, University of Guam, Mangilao, Guam
As Asian economies grow, so too does the demand for beche-de-mer. In this
multimillion-dollar industry, large holothuroids (sea cucumbers) are harvested and sold
as food in Asian markets, and overharvesting is an imminent threat throughout the
tropics. Holothuroids are among the most poorly known macrobiota on coral reefs, and
their systematics is in a poor state worldwide, hampering research and resource
management. The systematics of sea cucumbers in the genus Actinopyga has been
especially neglected. This is primarily because they show limited diversity and variation
in ossicle form, the primary characters used in holothurian taxonomy, making species
differentiation difficult. I used two mitochondrial genes, one nuclear gene, and
morphological characters to differentiate and systematically characterize species of
Actinopyga. Results indicate that (1) the genus is more diverse than previously
recognized because of the existence of several cryptic species, (2) some wide-ranging
forms show strong, allopatric differentiation across their range, and (3) one group has
undergone rapid speciation, with many of the resulting species now co-occurring. Rapid
speciation, allopatric differentiation, and morphological simplicity have all contributed to
the confusing taxonomy of Actinopyga. Delimiting species and understanding their
geographic and ecological range will allow for better management of beche-de-mer
fisheries.
26.1204
A Multi-Scale Analysis Of Coral Species Diversity Patterns Along The Florida Reef Tract
Mark CHIAPPONE* 1 , Dione SWANSON 2 , Leanne RUTTEN 1 , Steven MILLER 1
1 Center for Marine Science, University of North Carolina-Wilmington, Key Largo, FL,
2 Division of Marine Biology and Fisheries, RSMAS-University of Miami, Miami, FL
Large-scale sampling of stony coral, gorgonian, and sponge habitat distribution and frequency
of occurrence was undertaken during multiple large-scale surveys from 1999-2007 throughout
the 350-km long Florida Reef Tract. Stratified random sampling using belt transects
incorporated multiple reef and hard-bottom habitats, oceanographic regions, and areas inside
and outside of protected management zones and yielded data on site species richness and
species frequency. These data provide insights into the spatial extent and factors influencing
reef biodiversity. For stony corals, a pool of ~50 taxa among the Orders Milleporina and
Scleractinia, including species and morphotypes, was documented from sampling at over 800
sites. One of the most significant factors influencing species distribution is habitat type, with
greater numbers of coral species on inner shelf margin patch reefs, followed by deeper fore reef
slope habitats that extended to the 30 m depth limit of this study. In contrast, the shallow fore
reef, especially in areas historically dominated by the branching coral Acropora palmata, yield
relatively low numbers of species that are either widely distributed and frequently encountered
(Porites astreoides) or are relatively rare (Favia fragum) in other habitats. Regional variations in
stony coral and octocoral distribution potentially related to continental influence such as Florida
Bay-Atlantic Ocean water exchange are less apparent than for sponges. Gorgonians are either
represented by the majority of the shallow-water species pool of ~30 species in particular
habitats or by very low numbers of species in other habitats, especially wave-swept shallow
fore reef areas or coral-dominated patch reefs. Gorgonian species richness tends to be inversely
related with coral species richness. While species richness data for these sessile benthic
invertebrates is useful for characterizing habitat types, temporal patterns are less apparent,
despite significant changes in species abundance.
26.1205
A Multivariate Analysis Of The Scleractinian Genus Meandrina (Lamarck, 1801):
Evidence For A New Species.
Jorge PINZON* 1 , Ernesto WEIL 2
1 Biology, Pensilvania State University, University Park, PA, 2 Department of Marine Sciences,
University of Puerto Rico, Lajas, Puerto Rico
The scleractinian genus Meandrina is found from Bermuda to Brazil. Species diversity has
varied from twelve in the late 1900’s, to only two currently recognized species, the Caribbean
sub-massive, crustose and platy M. meandrites with two formae (f. typica and f. memorialis)
and M. brasiliensis, a small, free-living taxon described for Brazil, but also reported for the
Caribbean. The Caribbean ecomorphs are commonly found living side-by-side suggesting a
genetic component rather than environmental influences in explaining their morphological
differences. A multivariate approach was used to test the hypothesis that these morphs are
different species. Three colony-level characters were measured on 760 M. “brasiliensis”
colonies,779 M. meandrites memorialis and 320 M. meandrites typica colonies distributed
along different reefs off La Parguera, southwest Puerto Rico. Thirteen calice-level characters
were measured from bleached and curated colonies (46 M. “brasiliensis”, 45 M. meandrites
memorialis and 32 M. meandrites typical). Data was analyzed with univariate and multivariate
statistics. Spatial distribution and reproductive characteristics were assessed from populations in
seven different reef sites in La Parguera. Results showed consistent and significant differences
in morphological, ecological and reproductive characteristics between the two sub-massive
ecomorphs and the free living taxon. These results were supported by an extensive review of
museum specimens and all available published information providing therefore, enough
evidence to support the separation of the two ecomorphs as two distinct species, the massive,
crustose and platy M. meandrites (Linnaeus, 1758), and a new undescribed, large, mostly
crustos especies with wide valleys and narrow ridges, Meandrina caribbea nsp. Results also
validated Vaughan's (1901) suggestion that M. danae (Milne-Edwards and Haime, 1848) is the
free living form living in the Caribbean and is distinct from M. brasiliensis, and endemic taxon
for Brazil.
Keywords: Meandrina, scleractinian coral, Taxonomy, Caribbean, ecomorphs, multivariate
analysis
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