Skip to main content

A gorgonian Nanji sea plume (Pseudopterogorgia nanjiensis) from subtidal zone of Nanji Islands

A gorgonian Nanji sea plume (Pseudopterogorgia nanjiensis) in subtidal zone of Nanji Islands

NEWS - During a benthic biodiversity expedition in the subtidal zone of the Nanji Islands in the East China Sea, researchers identified two specimens of Pseudopterogorgia as new species based on morphology and molecular features. Nanji sea plume (Pseudopterogorgia nanjiensis) most closely resembles P. fredericki in its irregular branching shape and unclear scaphoid.

Molecular phylogenetic analysis, based on mtMutS-COI gene sequences, delineated a monophyletic clade that includes all species of Pseudopterogorgia. Within this clade, P. nanjiensis shows close phylogenetic affinity to P. fredericki Williams & Vennam 2001 and P. australiensis Ridley 1884.

Members of the genus Pseudopterogorgia Kükenthal 1919 are widely distributed in shallow waters of the Indo-West Pacific. The location of P. nanjiensis is in the intertidal zone of the Nanji Islands with a water depth of 14 meters. This species is named based on the type location of the Nanji Islands and the colonies attached to rocky substrates with a water temperature of 18C and pH 8.13.

The genus Pseudopterogorgia is characterized by a pinnate or irregular branching structure, the absence of anastomoses and C-shaped or scaphoid-like sclerites present in the coenenchyma. Based on the branching structure and sclerite shape, this specimen is undoubtedly included in this genus.

P. nanjiensis, P. fredericki and P. australiensis are characterized by the absence of anastomoses and the presence of scaphoid-like sclerites in the coenenchyma. However, P. nanjiensis can be distinguished from P. fredericki based on sclerite morphology and is easily distinguished from P. australiensis based on irregular branching shape.

The addition of the new species P. nanjiensis found in the Nanji Islands, so there are currently a total of 8 valid species in Pseudopterogorgia. The precise phylogenetic placement of the genus Pseudopterogorgia remains essentially equivocal, mainly due to the low support values assigned to the corresponding nodes in the mtMutS-COI tree.

The 28S rDNA tree shows high support values for most internal branches, but the systematic position of Pseudopterogorgia remains unresolved. This uncertainty arises from the inclusion of sequences representing only 7 of the total 13 genera currently recognized within Gorgoniidae and is further compounded by the fact that many of these genera show polyphyletic or paraphyletic relationships.

The authors therefore suggest the need for further genomic data to achieve greater resolution. Such data should include a more complete collection of 28S rDNA sequences and potentially include highly conserved elements plus exons (UCE+exons).

Original research

Sun T, Xu Y, Xu K, Chen S, Xie S, Zhan Z (2024). A new gorgonian Pseudopterogorgia nanjiensis sp. nov. (Cnidaria, Octocorallia, Gorgoniidae) from the Nanji Islands, China. ZooKeys 1213: 237-249, DOI:10.3897/zookeys.1213.126841

Dlium theDlium
Labels:

Popular Posts

Pohpohan (Pilea melastomoides)

Pohpohan clearweed ( Pilea melastomoides ) is a species of plant in the Urticaceae, herbaceous perennial, erect stems, up to 100 cm tall, succulent, square or cylindrical, enlarged in the middle of the internodes, bright green in color and forming colonies in the shade. P. melastomoides has stipules that are immediately deciduous or subpersistent, green or brownish and oblong. The stalk is 2-9 cm long. The leaf blade is ovate or ovate-elliptic or oblong-lanceolate. The surface is wavy, pale green on the underside, dark green on the top. The three main veins are central and linear. Rounded base, tapered ends and serrated edges. The inflorescences are paired, the male is a dense cyme paniculata. Kingdom: Plantae Phylum: Tracheophyta Subphylum: Angiospermae Class: Magnoliopsida Order: Rosales Family: Urticaceae Genus: Pilea Species: Pilea melastomoides
Read more

Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) manufacture bubble-nets as tools to increase prey intake

NEWS - Humpback whales ( Megaptera novaeangliae ) create bubble net tools while foraging, consisting of internal tangential rings, and actively control the number of rings, their size, depth and horizontal spacing between the surrounding bubbles. These structural elements of the net increase prey intake sevenfold. Researchers have known that humpback whales create “bubble nets” for hunting, but the new report shows that the animals also manipulate them in a variety of ways to maximize catches. The behavior places humpbacks among the rare animals that make and use their own tools. “Many animals use tools to help them find food, but very few actually make or modify these tools themselves,” said Lars Bejder, director of the Marine Mammal Research Program (MMRP), University of Hawaii at Manoa. “Humpback whales in southeast Alaska create elaborate bubble nets to catch krill. They skillfully blow bubbles in patterns that form a web with internal rings. They actively control details such ...
Read more

Cempaki (Termitomyces microcarpus)

Cempaki ( Termitomyces microcarpus ) is a species of fungus in the Lyophyllaceae family. It grows wild in tropical Asian forests near termite nests. It is rarely reported in urban areas. It is edible and known for its deliciousness, high nutritional value, and difficulty in cultivating. In Indonesia, it is used as an alternative food ingredient. T. microcarpus is the smallest of the Termitomyces species, umbrella-shaped, plain white, measuring 5 cm tall and 2.5 cm wide. It grows in dense clusters on surfaces and forms a mutualistic relationship, requiring the metabolic activity of termites as a substrate for growth. This species is known for its deliciousness, rich in nutrients, and has potential bioactive properties, such as helping lower cholesterol and acting as a tonic. Currently, it is difficult to cultivate on a large scale, and people rely solely on wild harvests. This mushroom is highly favored for its savory, delicious flavor and soft, chewy texture. It is often stir-fried ...
Read more