Fungia fungites (Linnaeus, 1758) (Scleractinia, Fungiidae) is a species complex that conceals large phenotypic variation and a previously unrecognized genus

Abstract

Recent molecular phylogenetic analyses of scleractinian corals have resulted in the discovery of cryptic lineages. To understand species diversity in corals, these lineages need to be taxonomically defined. In the present study, we report the discovery of a distinct lineage obscured by the traditional morphological variation of Fungia fungites. This taxon exists as two distinct morphs: attached and unattached. Molecular phylogenetic analyses using mitochondrial COI and nuclear ITS markers as well as morphological comparisons were performed to clarify their phylogenetic relationships and taxonomic positions. Molecular data revealed that F. fungites consists of two genetically distinct clades (A and B). Clade A is sister to a lineage including Danafungia scruposa and Halomitra pileus, while clade B formed an independent lineage genetically distant from these three species. The two morphs were also found to be included in both clades, although the attached morph was predominantly found in clade A. Morphologically, both clades were statistically different in density of septal dentation, septal number, and septal teeth shape. These results indicate that F. fungites as presently recognized is actually a species complex including at least two species. After checking type specimens, we conclude that specimens in clade A represent true F. fungites with two morphs (unattached and attached) and that all of those in clade B represent an unknown species and genus comprising an unattached morph with only one exception. These findings suggest that more unrecognized taxa with hitherto unnoticed morphological differences can be present among scleractinian corals.

Molecular Phylogeny and Taxonomy of the Coral Genus Cyphastrea (Cnidaria, Scleractinia, Merulinidae) in Japan, With the First Records of Two Species

“…zhongjianensis , the corallite characteristics are similar to those of C. microphthalma or C. chalcidicum because the septal number of the first order of this species ranges from 10–12 and the length of the first and second order costae is unequal (Zou, 1980; Nishihira and Sugihara, 2015; this study). Oku et al (2020) reported that a fungiid coral, Fungia fungites (Linnaeus, 1758), contained two morphotypes as intraspecific morphological variations, namely, attached and unattached (free-living), in which the attached type was previously recognized as a distinct species Fungia sp. (Nishihira and Veron, 1995).…”

Phylogenetics and taxonomy of the scleractinian coral family Euphylliidae

“…The re-evaluation of coral biomineralization processes and skeletal growth, as well as the discovery of new micromorphological characters have subsequently integrated and corroborated the growing amount of genetic data (Stolarski, 2000;Cuif et al, 2003;Stolarski, 2003;Cuif & Dauphin, 2005;Budd & Stolarski, 2009Janiszewska et al, 2015). The integrated morpho-molecular approach provided the backbone for formal taxonomic revisions of multiple families and genera (Fukami et al, 2000;Wallace et al, 2007;Benzoni et al, 2007Benzoni et al, , 2010Benzoni et al, , 2012Gittenberger et al, 2011;Budd et al, 2012;Kitahara et al, 2012aKitahara et al, , 2012bKitano et al, 2014;Schmidt-Roach et al, 2014;Huang et al, 2014Huang et al, , 2016Capel et al, 2020;Oku et al, 2020;Juszkiewicz et al, 2022;Seiblitz et al, 2022).…”

Decrypting corals: Does regulatory evolution underlie environmental specialization of coral cryptic lineages?

“…Limited introgression between these lineages exacerbates genetic diversity loss due to restricted gene flow (Bálint et al, 2011) and makes it challenging for managers to make informed conservation decisions during restoration. While such lineages are known from many coral species (Afiq-Rosli et al, 2021; Gijsbers et al, 2023; Gómez-Corrales & Prada, 2020; Johnston et al, 2021; Ladner & Palumbi, 2012; Nakajima et al, 2012; Oku et al, 2020; Pinzón & Weil, 2011; Pipithkul et al, 2021; Rippe et al, 2021; Rosser, 2015; Sheets et al, 2018; Stefani et al, 2011; Zayasu et al, 2021), we currently lack an understanding of how these lineages arise and what prevents them from merging.…”