Evaluating the genus Cespitularia MilneEdwards & Haime, 1850 with descriptions of new genera of the family Xeniidae (Octocorallia, Alcyonacea)

By

Benayahu, Yehuda
Ofwegen, L. P. van (Leendert P.), 1953-
McFadden, Catherine

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2018

Original Publication

ZooKeys

Volume

754

Pages

63-101

Subjects

Indo-Pacific Ocean , new genera , Phylogeny , sclerite microstructure , taxonomy

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

Sofia, Bulgaria Pensoft Publishers

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.754.23368

 

Abstract

Several species of the family Xeniidae, previously assigned to the genusCespitulariaMilne Edwards & Haime, 1850 are revised. Based on the problematical identity and status of the type of this genus, it became apparent that the literature has introduced misperceptions concerning its diagnosis. A consequent examination of the type colonies ofCespitularia coeruleaMay, 1898 has led to the establishment of the new genusConglomeratuscleragen. n.and similarly to the assignment ofCespitularia simplexThomson & Dean, 1931 to the new genus,Caementabundagen. n.Both new genera are described and depicted and both feature unique sclerite morphology, further highlighting the importance of sclerite microstructure for generic position among Xeniidae. Freshly collected material was subjected to molecular phylogenetic analysis, whose results substantiated the taxonomic assignment of the new genera, as well as the synonymies of several others.