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Assessing hidden species diversity in the coral Pocillopora damicornis from Eastern Australia

journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-17, 13:44 authored by Schmidt-Roach, S, Lundgren, P, Miller, KJ, Gerlach, G, Noreen, AME, Andreakis, N
The incredible range of morphological plasticity present in scleractinian corals has confused the taxonomy of the group, prompting the introduction of “ecomorphs” to explain the observed correlation between local environmental conditions and phenotypic variation. Pocillopora damicornis (Linnaeus, 1758) represents one of the best known examples of eco-phenotypic variation in scleractinian corals with a variety of forms and reproductive strategies reported across its global distribution range. Here, we reconstruct genealogical relationships of P. damicornis colonies collected from thirteen locations along the East Australian coast to examine the relationship between genetic and phenotypic diversity in this species. Haplotype networks computed from two mitochondrial DNA regions (CR, ORF) indicate that the range of morphotypes observed within this taxon fall into at least five genetically distinct mitochondrial lineages. Nuclear (HSP70, ITS2) haplowebs on the other hand recover sharp genetic discontinuities among three of the morphological groups. We conclude that P. damicornis from Eastern Australia constitutes a cryptic species complex. The misinterpretation of taxonomical units within P. damicornis may well explain its perceived variation in the ecology, biology and life history across its range.

Funding

Winifred Violet Scott Charitable Trust

History

Publication title

Coral Reefs

Volume

32

Pagination

161-172

ISSN

1432-0975

Department/School

Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies

Publisher

Springer-Verlag

Place of publication

175 Fifth Ave, New York, USA, Ny 10010

Rights statement

Copyright Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2012

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Marine biodiversity

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