Distinct species hidden in the widely distributed coral Coelastrea aspera (Cnidaria, Anthozoa, Scleractinia)

• DOI: 10.1071/is21025
• Publication Date: 2021-11-15T22:04:12Z
• Authors: Yuta Mitsuki; Naoko Isomura; Yoko Nozawa; Hiroyuki Tachikawa; Danwei Huang; Hironobu Fukami
• Keywords: Scleractinia; Anthozoa

Species identification is key for coral reef conservation and restoration. Recent molecular-morphological studies have indicated the existence of many cryptic species. Coelastrea aspera (Verrill, 1866) a zooxanthellate scleractinian that widely distributed in Indo-Pacific. In Japan, this species from subtropical region to high-latitudinal non-reef region. Previous reported C. colonies release egg-sperm bundles (bundle type), whereas those eggs sperm separately (non-bundle type) planula larvae after spawning. This difference reproduction might be relevant differences. To clarify delimitation aspera, reproduction, morphology molecular phylogeny samples collected regions Japan were analysed, along with additional morphological data northern Taiwan. The results show genetically morphologically separated into two main groups. first group non-bundle type, only regions, second bundle throughout regions. Examination type specimens taxon’s synonyms leads us conclude represents true incrustans comb. nov., herein re-established, was originally described as Goniastrea Duncan, 1886, had been treated junior synonym aspera.