Taxonomy of family Plakinidae (Porifera: Homoscleromorpha) from eastern Pacific coral reefs, through morphology andcox1andcob mtDNA data

A groundbreaking study on the taxonomy of Plakinidae sponges from eastern Pacific coral reefs, including the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Revillagigedo Archipelago and Clipperton Island, reveals five species: Plakortis albicans, Plakinastrella clippertonensis, two newly described species (Plakina muricyae and Plakina paradilopha), and Plakortis clarionensis. Using morphological analysis alongside mitochondrial DNA barcoding (cox1 and cob), researchers challenge traditional classifications, demonstrating that Plakina forms a monophyletic group, aligning molecular data with morphological hypotheses. Notably, the study identifies Plakina for the first time in Mexican Pacific waters and provides a taxonomic key for Homoscleromorpha species in the region, offering critical insights into sponge systematics and early metazoan evolution.

Cruz-Barraza, J. A., Vega, C., & Carballo, J. L. (2014). Taxonomy of family Plakinidae (Porifera: Homoscleromorpha) from eastern Pacific coral reefs, through morphology andcox1andcob mtDNA data. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 171(2), 254–276. https://doi.org/10.1111/zoj.12137