Burnett WJ, Benzie JAH, Beardmore JA, Ryland JS. 1997. Zoanthids (Anthozoa, Hexacorallia) from the Great Barrier Reef and Torres Strait, Australia: systematics, evolution and a key to species. Coral Reefs 16: 55-68.
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Burnett, W.; Benzie, J.; Beardmore, J.; Ryland, J.
1997
Zoanthids (Anthozoa, Hexacorallia) from the Great Barrier Reef and Torres Strait, Australia: systematics, evolution and a key to species
Coral Reefs
16, 55-68
Publication
Zoanthid taxonomy is currently in a state of
chaos, with many described species very few of which can
be reliably identiÞed. As part of a genetically based, objective
reappraisal of the number of northern Australian
species, a total of 355 zoanthid specimens were collected
from 19 localities in the Great Barrier Reef and Torres
Strait during 1992Ð1994. Specimens, initially assigned to
one of ten morphological or ecological forms, were subjected
to allozyme electrophoretic analysis. Analysis of
genetic data revealed only seven discrete (i.e., non-interbreeding)
groups in the family Zoanthidae. These groups,
which are delimited by Þxed gene di¤erences, are considered
species under a biological species concept. Some
species show considerable morphological variation and
have broad environmental tolerances. We provide the Þrst
key to Great Barrier Reef zoanthid species based on our
results and observations. Species can be di¤erentiated in
the Þeld on the basis of gross colony morphology, sand
encrusting habit, polyp form and habitat. Genetic data are
also used to generate a phylogenetic hypothesis of relationships
among the Zoanthidae, which is compared to
previous morphologically based systems. Division of the
group on the basis of mesenterial arrangement appears
justiÞed, but nematocyst data appear less valuable in
phylogenetic studies of the group than has been suggested
previously.
