Species of the genus Spirobranchus, commonly known as Christmas tree worms, are abundant throughout tropical Indo-Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. Information on the species inhabiting the Red Sea in general and the Gulf of Eilat (Gulf of Aqaba) in particular, has so far been very limited. Here we present a multigene phylogenetic analysis, examining both mitochondrial (Cyt-b) and nuclear (ITS2 and 18S) markers, to support the presence of four distinct Spirobranchus species in the Gulf of Eilat: S. corniculatus (including three taxa previously regarded as full species: S. gaymardi, S. cruciger, and S. corniculatus), S. cf. tetraceros, S. gardineri and a new species Spirobranchus aloni, likely endemic to the Red Sea (including two morphotypes with slightly different opercular morphology). The results presented here emphasise that the combination of molecular and in-depth morphological evaluation holds great prospects for a better understanding of species divergence and relationships.
Christmas tree worms (Spirobranchusspp.) are prominent sessile organisms inhabiting hermatypic corals in tropical and sub-tropical reefs. Until recently, most of the largerSpirobranchusspecies were considered to be in obligatory associations with live hermatypic corals. However, recent studies indicate that someSpirobranchusspecies can build tubes on artificial substrate as well and that others may show preferences for using specific species of corals and hydrozoans as substrates. In the present study, we conducted a survey ofSpirobranchusspp. substrate preference in the Gulf of Eilat. We found seven morphotaxa ofSpirobranchus, of which two may be a single new species. We show thatSpirobranchustaxa differ not only in their morphology, but also in their substrate use. Our results demonstrate that the ecological niche ofSpirobranchusis species-specific, and a putative innate preference exists for some substrates.
A newly established population of the fouling polychaete Spirobranchus cf. tetraceros is reported from the western Mediterranean (Valencia Port). Despite previous intensive surveys, this is the first record for the taxon in the Iberian Peninsula. Molecular analyses revealed that S. cf. tetraceros from Valencia are genetically identical to specimens from Heraklion, Crete, but different from those collected in the Red Sea and S. tetraceros sensu stricto from the type locality in Australia. Mediterranean and Red Sea S. cf. tetraceros form a well-supported monophyletic clade but are clearly distinct from New South Wales specimens of S. tetraceros. Our new molecular evidence supports the hypothesis that S. tetraceros is not a global invader of Australian origin but rather a large species complex in need of a comprehensive worldwide revision. These results highlight the importance of integrative taxonomic research for species with reported global distributions because these taxa may include cryptic invaders. An illustrated morphological account of the Valencia and Heraklion specimens and a taxonomic key for Spirobranchus species in the Mediterranean Sea are provided. Siguiendo el ejemplo fenicio: colonización del Mediterráneo occidental por Spirobranchus cf. tetraceros (Annelida: Serpulidae)Resumen: Una población del poliqueto incrustante Spirobranchus cf. tetraceros se reporta como establecida en el Mediterráneo occidental (Puerto de Valencia). A pesar de intensivos muestreos previos, este es el primer registro del taxón en la Península Ibérica. Los análisis moleculares revelan que los ejemplares de S. cf. tetraceros de Valencia son genéticamente idénticos a especímenes recogidos de Heraklion (Creta), pero diferentes de los muestreados en el Mar Rojo y de los S. tetraceros sensu stricto de la localidad tipo en Australia. Los ejemplares de S. cf. tetraceros del Mediterráneo y Mar Rojo forman un clado monofilético, pero claramente distinto de los especímenes de S. tetraceros de Nueva Gales del Sur. La nueva evidencia molecular respalda la hipótesis de que S. tetraceros no es un invasor global de origen australiano, sino más bien un gran complejo de especies que necesita una revisión exhaustiva. Estos resultados destacan la importancia de la investigación taxonómica de complejos de especies con distribución global. Se proporciona una descripción morfológica ilustrada de los especímenes de Valencia y Heraklion y una clave taxonómica para las especies de Spirobranchus presentes en el Mar Mediterráneo.Palabras clave: especies crípticas; puertos; tráfico marítimo; invasiones biológicas; poliquetos; citocromo b; clave de identificación.
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