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Vol. 52, 2013
Phylogenetic and taxonomic status of the coral Goniopora stokesi and related species
(Scleractinia: Poritidae) in Japan based on molecular and morphological
data
Yuko
F Kitano1, Masami Obuchi2, Daisuke Uyeno3,
Katsumi Miyazaki1 and Hironobu Fukami4*
1Seto
Marine Biological Laboratory, Field Science and Education Center, Kyoto
University, 459 Shirahama, Wakayama 649-2211, Japan
2Biological Institute on Kuroshio, 560 Nishidomari,
Otsuki 788-0333Kochi, Japan
3Faculty of Science, University of the Ryukyus, 1
Senbaru, Nishihara 903-0213Okinawa, Japan
4Department of Marine Biology and Environmental
Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Miyazaki, 1-1
Gakuen-kibanadai Nishi, Miyazaki 889-2192, Japan
Abstract
Background: Goniopora stokesi is an uncommon species
mainly found in tropical and subtropical regions but was also reported
in temperate regions of Japan. This species has two unique
characteristics. First, it does not typically attach to hard
substrates, i.e., it is free-living. Although non-free-living colonies
were reported, it is unclear whether their morphologies exhibit
intraspecific or interspecific differences. Second, they can asexually
form daughter colonies, which are secondary colonies that grow on the
surface (coenosac) of a parent colony and subsequently detach. To date,
this specific characteristic has not been reported in Japan, and it is
not clear whether this species occurs in Japan.
Results: To clarify the taxonomic status of this
species, we investigated its reproductive mechanism in Japan and
morphologically and genetically analyzed specimens collected from both
subtropical and temperate regions. We found that this species forms
daughter colonies in Okinawa, Japan and that free-living colonies in
the temperate region, which were formerly recognized as G. stokesi, likely constitute a
morphological variation of a separate species. In addition, all
non-free-living colonies with G.
stokesi-like morphologies were also morphological variations of
other species.
Conclusions: Overall, free-living
colonies with large, deep calices, thin walls, and well-developed
epitheca on the underside were G.
stokesi, whereas other free-living and all non-free-living G. stokesi-like colonies belonged
to other species, such as Goniopora
djiboutiensis.
Key words: Evolution; Phylogeny; rDNA; COI;
Temperate region.
*Correspondence: E-mail: hirofukami@cc.miyazaki-u.ac.jp
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