The anthozoan sub-class Octocorallia includes over 3500 nominal species of soft corals and gorgonian sea fans, many which serve as critical foundation in benthic marine ecosystems shallow waters to the deep sea. Despite their familiarity ecological impor-tance, diversity taxonomy octocorals remain poorly known. All orders, subordinal groups, a majority families have been recognized be poly- or paraphyletic, but poor resolution deeper nodes mitochondrial single-locus nuclear gene trees...

Octocorals of the Acanthogorgiid genus Calcigorgia have been examined, from Japan, Sea Okhotsk, and Bering Sea. The four known species are re-described scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images sclerites presented. Three other described depicted, bringing total number to seven. simushiri, Dautova 2018 is synonymized with C. spiculifera Broch, 1935. A neotype for has designated.

The Agulhas Bioregion of southern South Africa supports a unique octocoral fauna that is entirely endemic to the region. Recent molecular phylogenetic studies indicate this endemism extends deeper taxonomic levels than had previously been recognized, and most these species belong genera families are also Africa. Here we revise taxonomy soft corals (subordinal group Alcyoniina) were assigned cosmopolitan Alcyoniidae, Nephtheidae Nidaliidae, describing three new Africa, along with four...

Because of the problematical identity and status type xeniid soft coral genus Cespitularia Milne-Edwards & Haime, 1850, species C. stolonifera Gohar, 1938 is revised. Examination colonies has led to establishment new Unomia gen. n. which described depicted. This features a stalk, commonly divided into branches featuring diffuse polypiferous part consisting distal clustered polyps proximal individual ones on stalk or basal membranous colonies. The sclerites are ellipsoid platelets...

We describe a new family and genus of stoloniferous octocorals (Alcyonacea) Clavulariidae from material collected in South Africa 2008. Arulidae, fam. nov., is characterised by polyps whose tentacles are fused proximally to form an expanded oral membrane, sclerites type (‘table-radiates’) that has not been recorded previously Octocorallia. One species, Arula petunia, gen. sp. described, the possible existence congeners elsewhere Indo-Pacific discussed. Inconstantia, erected for three species...

Abstract. The speciose tropical soft coral genus Sinularia traditionally has been divided into five intrageneric taxonomic groups based on variation in a single morphological character: the shape of club sclerites (calcite skeletal elements) embedded surface tissues colony. To test phylogenetic utility this system classification, we used 735‐bp fragment octocoral‐specific mitochondrial msh1 gene to construct molecular phylogeny that included 80 ∼150 recognized morphospecies . recovered...

The status of Indo-Pacific Briareum species (Cnidaria, Octocorallia, Briareidae) is reviewed by presenting their sclerite features and habitus descriptions. Following the re-examination type material, museum specimens newly collected specimens, a identification key provided. distributions are discussed updated distribution ranges depicted. Moreover, new taxon, cylindrum sp. n. described depicted, whereas excavatum (Nutting, 1911) synonymised with stechei (Kükenthal, 1908). hamrum (Gohar,...

Abstract. The alcyonacean soft coral genera Sarcophyton and Lobophytum are conspicuous, ecologically important members of shallow reef communities throughout the Indo‐West Pacific. Study their ecology is, however, hindered by incomplete knowledge taxonomy: most species cannot be identified in field two always distinguished reliably. We used a 735‐bp fragment octocoral‐specific mitochondrial protein‐coding gene msh1 to construct phylogeny for 92 specimens 19 16 . All phylogenetic methods...

The World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) is an online resource, which provides the most comprehensive database scientific names marine organisms (WoRMS, 2018). WoRMS regularly retrieved by multidisciplinary researchers around globe, regarded as a source reliable taxonomic information. continuously improved experts, frequently have to address issues raised users and other editors (Costello et al., 2013). This study result one these exchanges knowledge stimulated WoRMS.

Stragulum bicolor n. gen. & sp. (Octocorallia: Clavulariidae) is described from Brazil. It was found in shallow waters of the States Ceará, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Paraná and Santa Catarina, probably invasive. The genus forms encrusting sheets on solid objects, such as seaweed basal stems, barnacle shells artificial substrates. new taxon has spindles, crosses radiates outer layer coenenchyme, fused sclerites interior polyps are unarmed. compared with other taxa that have sclerites.

During the last decade, knowledge of azooxanthellate corals in Colombian Caribbean has increased through exploration campaigns by Marine and Coastal Research Institute (INVEMAR). The distribution 142 species corals, including hard (Scleractinia 64 species), black (Antipatharia 18 soft (Octocorallia 60 species) is assessed. Statistical analyses were performed to examine coral a geographic gradient (210 stations 8 sectors) bathymetric range (10–520 m depth). Four principal patterns observed:...

A coral community was examined on a semi-submersible platform that moored at the leeward side of Curaçao, in southern Caribbean, from August 2016 until 2017. This included several non-native or cryptogenic species. Among them were two scleractinian corals (Tubastraea coccinea and T. tagusensis) octocorals (Chromonephthea sp. an unidentified Nephtheidae sp.). is first reported presence tagusensis genus Chromonephthea Caribbean region. An ascidian, Perophora cf. regina, also for time, as well...

A secosterol with a gorgosterol side chain and an unusual oxygenation pattern on the B rings was isolated from Indonesian soft coral Lobophytum sp. The of reported compound 1 have hydroxyl groups at C-3 C-7 epoxide ring C-5−C-6. structure solved by 2D NMR methods chemical shift analogy to known secogorgosterol 2. Compound found activity against human ovarian tumor leukemia cell lines.

The new family Aquaumbridae is described based on distinct morphological characters and supported by a molecular phylogenetic analysis. similar to Nidaliidae, Nepththeidae Alcyoniidae in having arborescent colonies lacking axis structure or stolons, but differs from them very different sclerite composition conspicuous transparent jelly-like lobes. Phylogenetic analysis of two mitochondrial genes, ND2 mtMutS, strongly supports its placement separated clade. Herein we describe Aquaumbra...

Abstract The gross morphology of soft coral surface sclerites has been studied for taxonomic purposes over a century. In contrast, located deep in the core colonies have not received attention. Some groups develop massive colonies, these organisms tissue depth can limit light penetration and circulation internal fluids affecting physiology tissues their symbiotic algae; such conditions potential to create contrasting calcifying conditions. To test this idea, we analyzed crystal structure...

Incrustatus comauensis n. gen. & sp. (Octocorallia: Clavulariidae) is described from Chile. It occurs in shallow water Concepción to the southern fjord region. The genus forms stolons on mytilid shells and rocks, or encrusting sheets Crepidula (Gastropoda), polychaete tubes, gorgonians, other substrata. sclerites of new taxon are 8-radiates derivatives these. polyps unarmed posses a few irregularly arranged spindles. compared with another that stolons.

Sinularia polydactyla (Ehrenberg, 1834) is re-described and a lectotype assigned. This led to examination of related material from various Indo-Pacific regions. Consequently, levi sp. n. described Eilat, Israel (Gulf Aqaba, northern Red Sea) compressa Tixier-Durivault, 1945 candidula Verseveldt Benayahu, 1983 are synonymized with polydactyla. Additional specimens identified in the literature as provisionally reassigned other taxa.

The monotypic soft coral genus Stragulum van Ofwegen and Haddad, 2011 (Octocorallia: Malacalcyonacea: Tubiporidae) was originally described from Brazil, southwest Atlantic Ocean. Here, we report the first records of eastern Caribbean Persian Gulf in northwest Indian We compare morphological features specimens, together with molecular data three commonly used barcoding markers (COI, mtMutS, 28S rDNA) 308 ultraconserved elements (UCE) exon loci sequenced using a target-enrichment approach....

An octocoral survey conducted in the mesophotic coral ecosystem (MCE) of Eilat (Gulf Aqaba, northern Red Sea) yielded a new species speciose reef-dwelling genus Sinularia. It features encrusting colony morphology with thin, funnel-shaped polypary. Sinularia mesophotica sp. n. (family Alcyoniidae) is described and compared to other congeners similar morphology. Both morphological molecular examination justified establishment species, also assigning it genetic clade within The results...

The type of the xeniid soft coral Sansibia flava (May, 1898) is re-described for first time and its morphological diagnosis presented. A subsequent integrated analysis molecular characters related Xeniidae, including species indigenous to Indo-Pacific Ocean invasive in Atlantic (Brazil), led description a new species, as well two genera comprising an additional three species. All these taxa are encrusting, with polyps arising directly from spreading basal membrane. Molecular phylogenetic...

Acanthoaxis wirtzi, a new genus and species of octocoral, is described depicted for specimens collected in shallow water off Botha Island, Cameroon, West Africa. A family, Acanthoaxiidae, proposed to accommodate the genus. The characters this family are total lack sclerites; axis having narrow, hollow, soft, cross-chambered central core; surface prominent spines.