Mesophotic gorgonian corals evolve multiple times and faster than deep and shallow lineages

Sanchez, J. A.; Gonzalez-Zapata, F. L.; Prada, C.; Duenas, L. F.

doi:10.1101/2020.12.17.422867

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bioRxiv · 10.1101/2020.12.17.422867

Mesophotic gorgonian corals evolve multiple times and faster than deep and shallow lineages

Sanchez, J. A.·Gonzalez-Zapata, F. L.·Prada, C.·Duenas, L. F.

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Abstract

1.Mesophotic Coral Ecosystems (MCEs) develop on a unique environment, where abrupt environmental changes take place. Using a time-calibrated molecular phylogeny (mtDNA: mtMutS), we examined the lineage membership of mesophotic gorgonian corals (Octocorallia: Cnidaria) in comparison to shallow and deep-sea lineages of the wider Caribbean-Gulf of Mexico and the Tropical Eastern Pacific. Our results show mesophotic gorgonians originating multiple times from old deep-sea octocoral lineages, whereas shallow-water species comprise younger lineages. The mesophotic gorgonian fauna in the studied areas are related to their zooxanthellate shallow-water counterparts in only two clades (Gorgoniidae and Plexauridae), where the shallow-deep gradient could serve as a driver of diversification. Interestingly, mesophotic clades have diversified faster than either shallow or deep clades. One of this groups with fast diversification is the family Ellisellidae, a major component of the mesophotic gorgonian coral assemblage worldwide.

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Sanchez, J. A., Gonzalez-Zapata, F. L., Prada, C., Duenas, L. F.. 2020-12-18. Mesophotic gorgonian corals evolve multiple times and faster than deep and shallow lineages. https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.12.17.422867

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