Four new species and one new genus of zoanthids (Cnidaria, Hexacorallia) from the Galapagos Islands

Researchers have identified four new species of zoanthids, including two belonging to a newly described genus, Terrazoanthus, from the Galápagos Islands. These findings expand the known biodiversity of macrocnemic zoanthids in the region. Two species, Terrazoanthus onoi and Terrazoanthus sinnigeri, are distinguished by their attachment to abiotic substrates, contrasting with the type genus Hydrozoanthus, which associates with hydrozoans. Antipathozoanthus hickmani is notable for its exclusive association with the antipatharian Antipathes galapagensis, while Parazoanthus darwini frequently associates with sponges. The two Terrazoanthus species share identical mitochondrial DNA sequences but can be distinguished by subtle differences in their internal transcribed spacer of ribosomal DNA (ITS-rDNA). This study combines morphological and molecular analyses to elucidate the taxonomic diversity and ecological relationships of zoanthids in the Galápagos.

Reimer, J., & Fujii, T. (2010). Four new species and one new genus of zoanthids (Cnidaria, Hexacorallia) from the Galapagos Islands. ZooKeys, 42, 1–36. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.42.378