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- Title
Mesophotic Gorgonian Corals Evolved Multiple Times and Faster Than Deep and Shallow Lineages.
- Authors
Sánchez, Juan A.; González-Zapata, Fanny L.; Prada, Carlos; Dueñas, Luisa F.
- Abstract
Mesophotic Coral Ecosystems (MCEs) develop on a unique environment, where abrupt environmental changes take place. Using a time-calibrated molecular phylogeny (mtDNA: mtMutS), we examined the lineage membership of mesophotic gorgonian corals (Octocorallia: Cnidaria) in comparison to shallow and deep-sea lineages of the wider Caribbean-Gulf of Mexico and the Tropical Eastern Pacific. Our results show mesophotic gorgonians originating multiple times from old deep-sea octocoral lineages, whereas shallow-water species comprise younger lineages. The mesophotic gorgonian fauna in the studied areas is related to their zooxanthellate shallow-water counterparts in only two clades (Gorgoniidae and Plexauridae), where the bathymetrical gradient could serve as a driver of diversification. Interestingly, mesophotic clades have diversified faster than either shallow or deep clades. One of this groups with fast diversification is the family Ellisellidae, a major component of the mesophotic gorgonian coral assemblage worldwide.
- Subjects
GULF of Mexico; CARIBBEAN; CORALS; MOLECULAR phylogeny; ALCYONACEA; OCTOCORALLIA; CNIDARIA; DEEP-sea corals
- Publication
Diversity (14242818), 2021, Vol 13, Issue 12, p650
- ISSN
1424-2818
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.3390/d13120650