Two new endemic species of Gorgoniidae (Cnidaria, Anthozoa, Octocorallia) from Revillagigedo Archipelago, Mexico

Researchers have identified two new endemic species of sea fans (Gorgoniidae) in the Revillagigedo Archipelago, Mexico: Eugorgia wilkiei and Leptogorgia waltonae. These discoveries highlight the archipelago's high endemism, likely driven by its isolation and unique environmental conditions. E. wilkiei exhibits distinct chromotypes (yellow or red) and irregular branching patterns, while L. waltonae is characterized by wart-like terminal twigs, 90°-angled lateral branching, and a range of vibrant colors. The study, based on morphological analysis and extensive sampling from 1995 to 2016, confirms these species are exclusive to the Revillagigedo Islands, supporting the hypothesis that oligotrophic waters, strong currents, and hurricane perturbations contribute to the archipelago's low-species diversity but high endemism.

OLVERA, U., HERNÁNDEZ, O., SÁNCHEZ, C., & GÓMEZ-GUTIÉRREZ, J. (2018). Two new endemic species of Gorgoniidae (Cnidaria, Anthozoa, Octocorallia) from Revillagigedo Archipelago, Mexico. Zootaxa, 4442(4). https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4442.4.2