Family Dendrophylliidae Research Articles

The complete mitochondrial genome of Dendrophyllia minuscula (Cnidaria: Scleractinia) from the NEOM region of the Northern Red Sea

The scleractinian coral family Dendrophylliidae is a major component of shallow and deep-water coral ecosystems worldwide, but our knowledge on the evolutionary history of the family remains scarce. Here, we used ezRAD coupled with Illumina sequencing technology and reconstructed the complete mitochondrial genome of Dendrophyllia minuscula (GenBank accession number OL634845), from mesophotic depths in the Red Sea NEOM area. The mitochondrial genome of D. minuscula consisted of 19,054 bp, organized in 13 protein-coding genes, 2 rRNA genes, and 2 tRNA genes, in agreement with the Scleractinia typical mitogenome organization. This complete mitochondrial genome contributes toward a better knowledge of mesophotic and deep-water coral diversity and evolutionary history.

A note on zoogeographic range extension of Endopachys grayi Milne-Edwards & Haime, 1848 (Scleractinia: Dendrophyllidae) from Andaman and Nicobar Islands

The family Dendrophylliidae represents solitary as well as colonial corals with a total of 183 extant valid species under the Order Scleractinia, distributed from littoral to the abyssal depths. During a recent deep-sea survey conducted by FORV Sagar Sampada (FORVSS367), a specimen of azooxanthellate dendrophylliid i.e. Endopachys grayi Milne-Edwards & Haime, 1848 was collected at the depth of 685 m from Nicobar waters which indicates its range extension to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in Indo-Pacific region while the previously reported depth range of the species is 37 to 386 m. The present report of E. grayi is a new addition to this archipelago.

Three New Species of the Sun Coral Genus Tubastraea (Scleractinia: Dendrophylliidae) from Hong Kong, China.

Tubastraea is a genus of azooxanthellate scleractinian corals belonging to the family Dendrophylliidae, which are commonly called sun corals. This genus currently has only seven recognized species. In this paper, we report three new species of Tubastraea, including T. dendroida sp. nov., which has a tree-like colony, T. violacea sp. nov., which has violet polyps, and T. chloromura sp. nov., which has olive green polyps. These species are distinct in their septal structures, as well as their rDNA sequences including the entire ITS1, 5.8S and ITS2, and a segment of the 18S and 28S genes.

New observations on the corallivorous nudibranchPhestilla melanobrachia: morphology, dietary spectrum and early development

ABSTRACTPhestilla melanobrachia is a coral-eating nudibranch widely distributed in the tropical Pacific. Previous studies have revealed only two colour morphs of P. melanobrachia, an orange form preying on various orange Dendrophyllia and Tubastraea spp. and a dark green form preying on the black Tubastraea micrantha and Tubastraea diaphana. Both colour morphs live in relatively deep waters (15–25 m) of exposed shores. We conducted morphological and molecular analysis, which revealed a beige colour morph of P. melanobrachia that feeds on the hermatypic scleractinian coral Turbinaria peltata in shallow waters (<10 m). The three genera of corals all belong to the family Dendrophylliidae, but Dendrophyllia and Tubastraea are azooxanthellates whereas Turbinaria is zooxanthellate. Consistent with their diet, the beige colour morph has a high abundance of dinoflagellate cells in the ceratal tips, whereas the other two colour morphs contain only few or no dinoflagellate cells in their cerata. Our finding of this new colour morph extends the knowledge about the diet, ecological niche and potential ecological impact of this species of corallivorous nudibranch.

A new species of the sun coral genus Tubastraea (Scleractinia: Dendrophylliidae) from Hong Kong.

Tubastraea, commonly known as sun coral, is a genus of brightly coloured azooxanthellate corals in the family Dendrophylliidae. The diversity of this genus is low, with only seven recognized species. Herein, we describe Tubastraea megacorallita sp. nov. from Hong Kong based on morphological and molecular analyses. This new species exhibits several characteristics of the genus including being colonial, having a rough texture of corallum and no epitheca. It can be distinguished from its congenerics by bigger corallites, and the Pourtals plan arrangement of its septa. The rDNA gene sequences (consisting of ITS1, 5.8S, ITS2, 18S and 28S) showed 2.455.18% divergence from those of its closest relatives, T. coccinea and T. micranthus.

Atlantia, a new genus of Dendrophylliidae (Cnidaria, Anthozoa, Scleractinia) from the eastern Atlantic.

Atlantia is described as a new genus pertaining to the family Dendrophylliidae (Anthozoa, Scleractinia) based on specimens from Cape Verde, eastern Atlantic. This taxon was first recognized as Enallopsammia micranthus and later described as a new species, Tubastraea caboverdiana, which then changed the status of the genus Tubastraea as native to the Atlantic Ocean. Here, based on morphological and molecular analyses, we compare fresh material of T. caboverdiana to other dendrophylliid genera and describe it as a new genus named Atlantia in order to better accommodate this species. Evolutionary reconstruction based on two mitochondrial and one nuclear marker for 67 dendrophylliids and one poritid species recovered A. caboverdiana as an isolated clade not related to Tubastraea and more closely related to Dendrophyllia cornigera and Leptopsammia pruvoti. Atlantia differs from Tubastraea by having a phaceloid to dendroid growth form with new corallites budding at an acute angle from the theca of a parent corallite. The genus also has normally arranged septa (not Portualès Plan), poorly developed columella, and a shallow-water distribution all supporting the classification as a new genus. Our results corroborate the monophyly of the genus Tubastraea and reiterate the Atlantic non-indigenous status for the genus. In the light of the results presented herein, we recommend an extensive review of shallow-water dendrophylliids from the Eastern Atlantic.

Anti-inflammatory potential of invasive sun corals (Scleractinia: Tubastraea spp.) from Brazil: alternative use for management?

The objective was to analyse the anti-inflammatory potential of the invasive coral species Tubastraea coccinea and Tubastraea tagusensis. Methanolic extracts, fractions and synthesized compounds were evaluated for their anti-inflammatory ability, and their composition was elucidated through chemical analysis. The genus Tubastraea (Order Scleractinia, Family Dendrophylliidae) (known as sun corals) presents compounds with pharmacological value. The introduction of these azooxanthellate hard corals into Brazil, initially in Rio de Janeiro state, occurred through their fouling of oil and gas platforms from the Campos oil Basin. The two invasive species have successfully expanded along the Brazilian coast and threaten endemic species and biodiversity. The HPLC-MS and GC-MS data suggest the presence of aplysinopsin analogues (alkaloids). Anti-inflammatory activity was observed in all samples tested in in-vivo assays, especially in T.coccinea. The ethyl acetate fraction from this sample was more effective in in-vitro assays for anti-inflammatory activity. Depending on the concentration, this fraction showed cytotoxic responses. These species have potential pharmacological use, and considering their invasive nature, this study presents a potential alternative use, which may enhance the management of this biological invasion.

Mutagenic, genotoxic and cytotoxic studies of invasive corals Tubastraea coccinea and Tubastraea tagusensis.

The high diversity of species in the marine environment gives rise to compounds with unique structural patterns not found as natural products in other systems and with great potential for pharmacological, cosmetic and nutritional use. The genus Tubastraea (Class Anthozoa, Order Scleractinia, Family Dendrophylliidae) is characterized as a hard coral without the presence of zooxanthellae. In species of this genus alkaloids derived from the compound aplysinopsin with pharmacological activity are known. In Brazil T. coccinea and T. tagusensis are characterized as non-indigenous and invasive and are currently found along the Brazilian coast, from Santa Catarina to Bahia states. This study aims to analyze the mutagenic, cytotoxic and genotoxic potential of methanolic and ethanolic extracts from T. coccinea and T. tagusensis collected in Ilha Grande Bay, Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil. Bacterial reverse mutation assay on the standard strains TA97, TA98, TA100, TA102 and TA104, in vitro micronucleus formation test and colorimetric assays for cytotoxic signals on the cell lines HepG2 and RAW264.7 were used. We also synthesized an oxoaplysinopsin derivate alkaloid (APL01) for comparative purposes. No mutagenic (250; 312.5; 375; 437.5 and 500μg/plate) or genotoxic (0.05; 0.5; 5.0; 50 and 500μg/mL) effects were observed in any sample tested for all measured concentrations. Cytotoxic responses were observed for eukaryotic cells in all tested samples at 500 and 5000μg/mL concentrations. Cytotoxicity found in the WST-1 assay was independent of the metabolism of substances present in samples compositions. The cytotoxicity observed in the LDH release assay depended on metabolism.

A new dendrophylliid coral genusCairnsipsammiafrom the Lower Cretaceous of western Austria (Anthozoa; Scleractinia; Vorarlberg; Schrattenkalk Formation [upper Barremian-lower Aptian

Abstract The new colonial dendrophylliid coral genus Cairnsipsammia is described from the Lower Cretaceous Schrattenkalk Formation (upper Barremian–lower Aptian) of western Austria (Vorarlberg). The new genus is characterized by plocoid to submeandroid types of polyp integration, compact to porous costosepta, and corallites that are united by their perithecal walls or embedded in a narrow (up to 2 mm wide) porous, reticulate and costate coenosteum with granular surfaces. It represents the oldest colonial genus of the family Dendrophylliidae. The occurrence of Cairnsipsammia in a shallow-water, reefal environment (Schrattenkalk Formation), in combination with both the relatively high degree of corallite integration (submeandroid) and massive growth form points to the hypothesis that Cairnsipsammia may have been zooxanthellate.

Shallow-water scleractinian corals of Ascension Island, Central South Atlantic

The presence of five shallow-water scleractinian species at Ascension Island is confirmed, i.e. Favia gravida, Madracis sp., Siderastrea radians, Polycyathus atlanticus and Rhizosmilia gerdae. The three former are zooxanthellate, the two latter azooxanthellate. A sixth species, Cladocora debilis (azooxanthellate), dredged from moderately deep water is also expected to occur in shallow water. Madracis sp. and P. atlanticus are new records for the island. A previous record of Astrangia solitaria at Ascension is now referred to as P. atlanticus. Favia gravida, S. radians and C. debilis are amphi-Atlantic. Rhizosmilia gerdae is currently known only from Ascension Island and the Western Atlantic. None of the species are endemic to Ascension Island. No member of the family Dendrophylliidae has as yet been found at Ascension, whereas that family is represented at its nearest neighbour, St Helena Island.

Four New Records of Two Genera Balanophyllia and Cladopsammia (Anthozoa: Hexacorallia: Scleractinia: Dendrophylliidae) from Korea

The four species of the family Dendrophylliidae are newly recorded in Korea: Balanophyllia (Balanophyllia) cumingii Milne Edwards and Haime, 1848, Balanophyllia (Balanophyllia) vanderhorsti Cairns, 2001, Cladopsammia eguchii (Wells, 1982), and Cladopsammia gracilis (Milne Edwards and Haime, 1848). The two genera of Balanophyllia and Cladopsammia, to which the four species belong, are newly recorded in Korea. They were collected from the subtidal zones in Jeju-do Island, Korea by SCUBA diving from 1987 to 2012. This study aims to identify the four dendrophyllid species based on external and internal morphological characters including growth form, size, budding, and color of colonies, shape and size of corallites, columella, theca, and septa. Balanophyllia (Balanophyllia) cumingii is distinguished by its solitary growth form, small and low subturbinate corallite with enlarged calice, and expanded basal part, exsert first and second septa, and Pourtal<TEX>$\acute{e}$</TEX>s plan. Balanophyllia (Balanophyllia) vanderhorsti is characterized by its quasi-colonial growth form, subturbinate corallites with compressed calice, thick theca, and Pourtal<TEX>$\acute{e}$</TEX>s plan. Cladopsammia eguchii is characterized by its phaceloid growth form of compressed corallites basally united with common coenosteum, flat spongy columella, thick theca, and Pourtal<TEX>$\acute{e}$</TEX>s plan. Cladopsammia gracilis is distinguished by its phaceloid growth form of corallites basally united with common coenosteum, and pronounced Pourtal<TEX>$\acute{e}$</TEX>s plan forming flower patterns.

A phylogeny reconstruction of the Dendrophylliidae (Cnidaria, Scleractinia) based on molecular and micromorphological criteria, and its ecological implications

Recent molecular phylogenetic studies have shown that most traditional families of zooxanthellate shallow‐water scleractinians are polyphyletic, whereas most families mainly composed of deep‐sea and azooxanthellate species are monophyletic. In this context, the family Dendrophylliidae (Cnidaria, Scleractinia) has unique features. It shows a remarkable variation of morphological and ecological traits by including species that are either colonial or solitary, zooxanthellate or azooxanthellate, and inhabiting shallow or deep water. Despite this morphological heterogeneity, recent molecular works have confirmed that this family is monophyletic. Nevertheless, what so far is known about the evolutionary relationships within this family, is predominantly based on skeleton macromorphology, while most of its species have remained unstudied from a molecular point of view. Therefore, we analysed 11 dendrophylliid genera, four of which were investigated for the first time, and 30 species at molecular, micromorphological and microstructural levels. We present a robust molecular phylogeny reconstruction based on two mitochondrial markers (COI and the intergenic spacer between COI and 16S) and one nuclear (rDNA), which is used as basis to compare micromorphogical and microstructural character states within the family. The monophyly of the Dendrophylliidae is well supported by molecular data and also by the presence of rapid accretion deposits, which are ca. 5 μm in diameter and arranged in irregular clusters, and fibres that thicken the skeleton organized in small patches of a few micrometres in diameter. However, all genera represented by at least two species are not monophyletic, Tubastraea excluded. They were defined by traditional macromorphological characters that appear affected by convergence, homoplasy and intraspecific variation. Micromorphogical and microstructural analyses do not support the distinction of clades, with the exception of the organization of thickening deposits for the Tubastraea clade.

Application of cnidae composition in phylogenetic analyses of North Atlantic and Mediterranean dendrophylliid corals (Anthozoa : Scleractinia)

Scleractinian corals are widely distributed in all oceans and at all bathymetric levels. Corals are among the most important bio-building organisms in marine ecosystems. The systematics of this hexacoral group is currently undergoing much change owing to studies that combine molecular analyses with morphological research on the calcareous skeletons. However, information from polyp anatomy has been widely ignored, and some aspects, such as the diversity and distribution of the cnidocysts, might help to obtain a better understanding of the relationships at different taxonomic levels. In this study, the cnidocysts of four species of the family Dendrophylliidae (Dendrophyllia ramea, D. cornigera, D. laboreli and Astroides calycularis) are analysed to evaluate the application of cnidae in phylogenetic analyses, and to complete our knowledge of cnidae composition (types, distribution and sizes) for these species. A discriminant analysis based on the cnidae of these species supports the usefulness of these structures. The obtained results indicate that additional morphological characters in scleractinian corals that may help to clarify their phylogenetic relationships can still be found.

Gonochorism and planula brooding in the Mediterranean endemic orange coral Astroides calycularis (Scleractinia: Dendrophylliidae). Morphological aspects of gametogenesis and ontogenesis

Information on reproduction in temperate scleractinian corals is notably scant. Astroides calycularis is an azooxanthellate coral that inhabits the South-Western Mediterranean Sea, in shaded habitats from 0 to 50 m depth. Recently, it has been observed along the coast of the Adriatic Sea. This study is the first in-depth investigation of A. calycularis reproductive biology. Observations from the nineteenth century described A. calycularis as hermaphroditic; in contrast, we demonstrated gonochorism (male and female colonies) and brooding (planula releasing) as the reproductive mode, consistent with other members of the family Dendrophylliidae. Undifferentiated germ cells arose in the gastrodermis and subsequently migrated to the mesoglea, where they completed gametogenesis. During spermatogenesis, spermary diameter increased from 20 to 940 µm. During oogenesis, a conspicuous presence of lipid vesicles of exogenous origin (phagocytes) was observed in the ooplasma. As oogenesis progressed, the synthesis of yolk gradually reduced the nucleus to cytoplasm ratio. In the final stages of oogenesis, the nucleus migrated to the extreme periphery of the oocyte adhering to the oolemma, and became indented. Nuclear migration and shape change may facilitate fertilization and determine the future embryonic axis. During oogenesis, the oocyte diameter increased from 25 to 1590 µm. Embryogenesis took place in the coelenteron. Formation of a blastocoel was not observed, and development proceeded via stereoblastulae with superficial cleavage. Gastrulation took place by delamination. Embryo diameter ranged from 550 to 1140 µm. Released larvae (length 1700 to 2000 µm) were observed in the field during summer, along the benthos.

Sexual reproduction of the solitary sunset cup coral Leptopsammia pruvoti (Scleractinia: Dendrophylliidae) in the Mediterranean. 1. Morphological aspects of gametogenesis and ontogenesis

Information on the reproduction in scleractinian solitary corals and in those living in temperate zones is notably scant. Leptopsammia pruvoti is a solitary coral living in the Mediterranean Sea and along Atlantic coasts from Portugal to southern England. This coral lives in shaded habitats, from the surface to 70 m in depth, reaching population densities of >17,000 individuals m−2. In this paper, we discuss the morphological aspects of sexual reproduction in this species. In a separate paper, we report the quantitative data on the annual reproductive cycle and make an interspecific comparison of reproductive traits among Dendrophylliidae aimed at defining different reproductive strategies. The present study on L. pruvoti is the first in-depth investigation of the reproductive biology of a species of this genus. As expected for a member of the family Dendrophylliidae, L. pruvoti is a gonochoric and brooding coral. The gastrodermal tissue of the gametogenetic mesenteries we examined was swollen and granular, which led us to hypothesize that interstitial cells could have a trophic function favoring gametogenesis. Undifferentiated germ cells arose in the gastrodermis and subsequently migrated to the mesoglea, where they completed gametogenesis. During spermary development, spermary diameter increased from a minimum of 14 μm during the immature stages to a maximum of 410 μm during the mature stages. As oogenesis progressed, we observed a gradual reduction in the nucleus to cytoplasm ratio due to the steady synthesis of yolk. During the final stages of oogenesis, after having migrated to the extreme periphery of the oocyte and having firmly adhered to the oolemma, the nucleus became indented, assuming a sickle or dome shape. We can hypothesize that the nucleus’ migration and change of shape may have to do with facilitating fertilization and determining the future embryonic axis. During oogenesis, oocyte diameter increased from a minimum of 20 μm during the immature stage to a maximum of 680 μm when mature. Embryogenesis took place in the coelenteron. We did not see any evidence that even hinted at the formation of a blastocoel; embryonic development proceeded via stereoblastulae with superficial cleavage. Gastrulation took place by delamination. Early and late embryos had diameters of 204–724 μm and 290–736 μm, respectively. When released, the larvae had completed ontogenesis and swam by a ciliary movement with the aboral pole at the anterior, their shape varied from spherical to cylindrical (in the latter the oral–aboral axis measured 695–1,595 μm and the transversal one measured 267–633 μm).

On the origin of quasi-racemic aplysinopsin cycloadducts, (bis)indole alkaloids isolated from scleractinian corals of the family Dendrophylliidae. Involvement of enantiodefective Diels–Alderases or asymmetric induction in artifact processes involving adventitious catalysts?

Reported here are two novel quasi-racemic (bis)indole alkaloids, cycloaplysinopsin A ( 5 ) and cycloaplysinopsin B ( 6 ), isolated from tropical Indo-Pacific (Comoros, Philippines) scleractinian corals of the family Dendrophylliidae. Although their structures suggest a Diels–Alder cycloaddition origin from aplysinopsin-type precursors, neither experiments, nor theory allowed us to clearly distinguish an enzymatic process with scarce enantioselection from the intrusion of an adventitious catalyst in the coral extracts, where the chiral environment caused a slight asymmetric induction.

ChemInform Abstract: Novel Aplysinopsin‐Type Alkaloids from Scleractinian Corals of the Family Dendrophylliidae of the Mediterranean and the Philippines. Configurational‐Assignment Criteria, Stereospecific Synthesis, and Photoisomerization.

AbstractThe E/Z isomers (III) and (IV), isolated as isomeric mixtures from the corals specified in the title, are prepared by condensation of (I) with (II).

Novel Aplysinopsin‐Type Alkaloids from Scleractinian Corals of the Family Dendrophylliidae of the Mediterranean and the Philippines. Configurational‐assignment criteria, stereospecific synthesis, and photoisomerization

AbstractFrom the scleractinian coral Tubastraea sp. (Dendrophylliidae) collected at Palawan, Philippines, 3′‐deimino‐3′‐oxoaplysinopsin (4) and 6‐bromo‐3′‐deimino‐3′‐oxoaplysinopsin (6) are now isolated as 5:2 mixtures of (E/Z) stereoisomers. The 3′‐deimino‐2′,4′‐bis(demethyl)‐3′‐oxoaplysinopsin (7) and 6‐bromo‐3′‐demino‐2′,4‐bis(demethyl)‐3′‐oxoaplysinopsin (5) are isolated as 2:3 and 1:1 (E/Z) mixtures, respectively, from another dendrophylliid, Leptopsammia pruvoti, collected near Marseille, Mediterranean coast of France. Larger amounts of these and related compounds, needed for a full structural determination, are obtained by synthesis. Thus, condensations of indol‐3‐carboxaldehyde (9) or of its 6‐bromo derivative 14 with hydantoin (15), 3‐methylhydantoin (11), or 1,3dimethylhydantoin (10) give the prevalent natural aplysinopsins with high stereospecificity. The minor stereoisomers (Z)‐4, (Z)‐6, (E)‐7, and (E)‐5 are obtained by (E/Z) photoisomerization under UV light of the condensation mixtures. The configuration is assigned from larger HC(8)/C(5′) 1H, 13C couplings in the (E) than in the (Z) isomer, and, in the case of 4 and 6, from NOE enhancement at MeN(2′) on irradiation at HC(8). The stereospecificity of the condensations is attributed to steric inhibition to planarity in the rate‐limiting transition states, due to N(2′)/HC(2) repulsion with (Z)‐4 and (Z)‐6, or to C(5′)O/HC(2) repulsion with (E)–7 or (E)‐5. As the aplysinopsins undergo (E/Z ) phostoisomerization also under the daylight conditions of the laboratory, their isomeric composition in nature can not be presently assessed.