A Systematic study of Black Corals species (Antipatharia, Hexacorallia) based on rDNA internal transcribed spacers sequences.

Abstract A phylogenetic analysis based on rDNA internal transcribed spacers (ITS) sequences was performed on 15 species of black corals assigned to the genera Antipathes, Stichopathes, Cirrhipathes, Rhipidipathes, Antipathella, Myriopathes and Cupressopathes recorded from the Messina Strait (Mediterranean Sea) and the Bunaken Marine Park (Celebes Sea, Indonesia). The phylogenetic analysis shows that the examined species are grouped in two main branches corresponding to the families Antipathidae-Aphanipathidae and Myriopathidae. While among the Myriopathidae species there is a very small genetic distance, the Antipathidae-Aphanipathidae clade shows a high degree of divergence between diVerent genera. According to this study, the taxon Antipathes? sp. 3 characterised by a bush-like corallum without a welldeWned axis, probably belongs to a new undescribed genus of the family Antipathidae.