Reassessing Taxonomic Classification of the Zoantidean Epizoanthus giveni Using Marginal Musculature as a Defining Character
Abstract
The ability to identify species as individual units of evolution determines our capacity to link individuals to all knowledge of structure, function, and evolution of biological systems. Species that are misclassified will be linked to the wrong catalog of knowledge, errors which may propagate through the literature in unpredictable ways. Zoanthidean taxonomic classifications are commonly determined using histological sections of the marginal musculature, which is responsible for polyp retraction and has diverse structural components unique to different taxa. Although classification defined by marginal musculature has been used over time, publications since 2015 have increasingly expanded the working knowledge of this character and its importance in determining evolutionary relationships. Epizoanthus giveni was described as a new species of zoanthidean from Southern California in 2009 by Philipp and Fautin. This species was assigned to genus Epizoanthus due to the “macrocnemic mesenterial arrangement and mesogleal marginal sphincter muscle,” (Philipp and Fautin, 2009). However the images published in the original species description did not reflect this assessment and revisiting the histological slides prepared by the original authors did not improve this incongruency. By preparing new serial sections from the type specimen and integrating recent knowledge about the marginal musculature, we will reassess the validity of this species. Photographs of the marginal musculature and actinopharynx were taken from these slides and measurements of taxonomically important characters were collected and documented within Morphobank.
Faculty Sponsors
Dr. Timothy Swain
Project Type
Event
Location
Alvin Sherman Library
Start Date
4-5-2023 12:00 PM
End Date
4-6-2023 4:00 PM
Reassessing Taxonomic Classification of the Zoantidean Epizoanthus giveni Using Marginal Musculature as a Defining Character
Alvin Sherman Library
The ability to identify species as individual units of evolution determines our capacity to link individuals to all knowledge of structure, function, and evolution of biological systems. Species that are misclassified will be linked to the wrong catalog of knowledge, errors which may propagate through the literature in unpredictable ways. Zoanthidean taxonomic classifications are commonly determined using histological sections of the marginal musculature, which is responsible for polyp retraction and has diverse structural components unique to different taxa. Although classification defined by marginal musculature has been used over time, publications since 2015 have increasingly expanded the working knowledge of this character and its importance in determining evolutionary relationships. Epizoanthus giveni was described as a new species of zoanthidean from Southern California in 2009 by Philipp and Fautin. This species was assigned to genus Epizoanthus due to the “macrocnemic mesenterial arrangement and mesogleal marginal sphincter muscle,” (Philipp and Fautin, 2009). However the images published in the original species description did not reflect this assessment and revisiting the histological slides prepared by the original authors did not improve this incongruency. By preparing new serial sections from the type specimen and integrating recent knowledge about the marginal musculature, we will reassess the validity of this species. Photographs of the marginal musculature and actinopharynx were taken from these slides and measurements of taxonomically important characters were collected and documented within Morphobank.
