Coral Taxonomy Research Articles

A tenuis relationship: traditional taxonomy obscures systematics and biogeography of the ‘Acropora tenuis’ (Scleractinia: Acroporidae) species complex

Abstract Molecular phylogenetics has fundamentally altered our understanding of the taxonomy, systematics and biogeography of corals. Recently developed phylogenomic techniques have started to resolve species-level relationships in the diverse and ecologically important genus Acropora, providing a path to resolve the taxonomy of this notoriously problematic group. We used a targeted capture dataset (2032 loci) to investigate systematic relationships within an Acropora clade containing the putatively widespread species Acropora tenuis and its relatives. Using maximum likelihood phylogenies and genetic clustering of single nucleotide polymorphisms from specimens, including topotypes, collected across the Indo-Pacific, we show ≥ 11 distinct lineages in the clade, only four of which correspond to currently accepted species. Based on molecular, morphological and geographical evidence, we describe two new species; Acropora rongoi n. sp. and Acropora tenuissima n. sp. and remove five additional nominal species from synonymy. Systematic relationships revealed by our molecular phylogeny are incongruent with traditional morphological taxonomy and demonstrate that characters traditionally used to delineate species boundaries and infer evolutionary history are homoplasies. Furthermore, we show that species within this clade have much smaller geographical ranges and, consequently, population sizes than currently thought, a finding with profound implications for conservation and management of reef corals.

Records and palaeoenvironmental conditions of Early Miocene scleractinian corals from the Fırat formation (Diyarbakır, Turkey)

Miocene scleractinian corals were documented for the first time in the Fırat Formation of Sarıca village, Eğil district of Diyarbakır, SE Turkey. The fauna consists of four hermatypic species belonging to three families: Diploastrea taurinensis (d’Achiardi, 1868), Tarbellastraea reussiana (Milne-Edwards and Haime, 1850), Echinopora gemmacea (Lamarck, 1816) and Montastraea pelouaensis (Chevalier, 1954). The morphospecies described here are typical of the early Miocene (Aquitanian-Burdigalian) and show that the Fırat Formation coral community was composed of shallow and subtropical reefs of Mediterranean Tethys palaeobiogeographical affinity. The examined species are reef components found in tropical and subtropical oceans, as are the majority of zooxanthellae. The species were upper photic zone related, had massive colonial growth morphology, and lived in a shallow tropical-subtropical marine palaeoenvironment at a depth of up to 50m. They grew on hard ground, clean water, and normal salinity and required a minimum seawater temperature of 18̊C; however, they were most abundant at water temperatures ranging from 22 to 26̊C in high-moderate water energy. Consequently, this fossil assemblage will not only improve our knowledge of scleractinian coral diversity and morphological variation in SE Turkey but will also provide an important background for future studies of coral taxonomy, diversity and biogeography of the region.

Coral taxonomy and local stressors drive bleaching prevalence across the Hawaiian Archipelago in 2019.

The Hawaiian Archipelago experienced a moderate bleaching event in 2019-the third major bleaching event over a 6-year period to impact the islands. In response, the Hawai'i Coral Bleaching Collaborative (HCBC) conducted 2,177 coral bleaching surveys across the Hawaiian Archipelago. The HCBC was established to coordinate bleaching monitoring efforts across the state between academic institutions, non-governmental organizations, and governmental agencies to facilitate data sharing and provide management recommendations. In 2019, the goals of this unique partnership were to: 1) assess the spatial and temporal patterns of thermal stress; 2) examine taxa-level patterns in bleaching susceptibility; 3) quantify spatial variation in bleaching extent; 4) compare 2019 patterns to those of prior bleaching events; 5) identify predictors of bleaching in 2019; and 6) explore site-specific management strategies to mitigate future bleaching events. Both acute thermal stress and bleaching in 2019 were less severe overall compared to the last major marine heatwave events in 2014 and 2015. Bleaching observed was highly site- and taxon-specific, driven by the susceptibility of remaining coral assemblages whose structure was likely shaped by previous bleaching and subsequent mortality. A suite of environmental and anthropogenic predictors was significantly correlated with observed bleaching in 2019. Acute environmental stressors, such as temperature and surface light, were equally important as previous conditions (e.g. historical thermal stress and historical bleaching) in accounting for variation in bleaching during the 2019 event. We found little evidence for acclimation by reefs to thermal stress in the main Hawaiian Islands. Moreover, our findings illustrate how detrimental effects of local anthropogenic stressors, such as tourism and urban run-off, may be exacerbated under high thermal stress. In light of the forecasted increase in severity and frequency of bleaching events, future mitigation of both local and global stressors is a high priority for the future of corals in Hawai'i.

Impact of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) enrichment and skewed N:P stoichiometry on the skeletal formation and microstructure of symbiotic reef corals

Reported divergent responses of coral growth and skeletal microstructure to the nutrient environment complicate knowledge-based management of water quality in coral reefs. By re-evaluating published results considering the taxonomy of the studied corals and the N:P stoichiometry of their nutrient environment, we could resolve some of the major apparent contradictions. Our analysis suggests that Acroporids behave differently to several other common genera and show distinct responses to specific nutrient treatments. We hypothesised that both the concentrations of dissolved inorganic N and P in the water and their stoichiometry shape skeletal growth and microstructure. We tested this hypothesis by exposing Acropora polystoma fragments to four nutrient treatments for > 10 weeks: high nitrate/high phosphate (HNHP), high nitrate/low phosphate (HNLP), low nitrate/high phosphate (LNHP) and low nitrate/low phosphate (LNLP). HNHP corals retained high zooxanthellae densities and their linear extension and calcification rates were up to ten times higher than in the other treatments. HNLP and LNLP corals bleached through loss of symbionts. The photochemical efficiency (Fv/Fm) of residual symbionts in HNLP corals was significantly reduced, indicating P-starvation. Micro-computed tomography (µCT) of the skeletal microstructure revealed that reduced linear extension in nutrient limited or nutrient starved conditions (HNLP, LNHP, LNLP) was associated with significant thickening of skeletal elements and reduced porosity. These changes can be explained by the strongly reduced linear extension rate in combination with a smaller reduction in the calcification rate. Studies using increased skeletal density as a proxy for past thermal bleaching events should consider that such an increase in density may also be associated with temperature-independent response to the nutrient environment. Furthermore, the taxonomy of corals and seawater N:P stoichiometry should be considered when analysing and managing the impacts of nutrient pollution.

Re-Examination of the Phylogenetic Relationship among Merulinidae Subclades in Non-Reefal Coral Communities of Northeastern Taiwan

Species identification for spawning corals relies heavily on morphology. Recent molecular phylogenetic approaches have demonstrated the limits of traditional coral taxonomy based solely on skeletal morphology. Merulinidae is considered a complex taxonomic group, containing 24 genera and 149 species. This family is one of the most taxonomically challenging and its taxonomy has largely improved in recent studies. However, studies of the phylogeny of Merulinidae are constrained by limited geographic scales. In Taiwan, merulinid corals are dominant in non-reefal communities on northeast coasts and they consistently spawn between summer and fall. This study is a first attempt to establish a molecular database of merulinid corals in this new area, including a volcanic island (Kueishan Island), and provide information about sexual reproduction. We analyzed 65 specimens, including 9 genera and 28 species collected from Taiwan using one mitochondrial marker (COI: cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 gene) and three nuclear markers (ITS: nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer, 28S rDNA D1 and D2, and histone H3) to re-examine phylogenetic relationships and search for new species. Overall, 58 COI sequences, 59 for ITS, 63 for 28S, and 62 histone sequences were newly obtained from the collected specimens. The reconstructed molecular tree demonstrates that all the specimens and reference sequences we examined are clustered within Merulinidae. Subclades A, B, C, D/E, F, G, H, and I are congruent with previous studies. However, Astrea curta is separated from the other congeneric species, Astrea annuligera (XVII-B), which is a sister to Favites and defined as a new subclade K. In addition, two new species (Paragoniastrea deformis and Paragoniastrea australensis) were discovered for the first time in Taiwan, and we defined them as a new subclade J. In addition, A. curta, P. auastralensis, and P. deformis are all hermaphroditic spawners and released bundles in July. This study greatly improves the accuracy of biodiversity estimates, systematic taxonomy, and reproduction for Taiwan’s coral ecosystem.

Pliensbachian corals from the Western Tethys

Late Liassic in the Western Tethys has been the cradle of Middle and Late Jurassic diversity of corals. This is what revised and enhanced taxonomy of corals from Pliensbachian and Toarcian stages reveals. The current new taxonomic study of Pliensbachian corals describes 66 species distributed in 41 genera and 20 identified families. It includes four new genera: Podosmilia n. gen., Tubulosmilia n. gen., Prismastrea n. gen. and Spongiocoenia n. gen.; and 20 new species: Axosmilia amellagouensis n. sp., Apocladophyllia guigouensis n. sp., Coryphyllia bicuneiformis n. sp., Coryphyllia capillaria n. sp., Proleptophyllia calix n. sp., Proleptophyllia magna n. sp., Proleptophyllia subphaceloida n. sp., Fungiaphyllia praecursor n. sp., F. rotunda n. sp., Margarosmilia dividenda n. sp., Paravolzeia calabrensis n. sp., Distichophyllia pauciseptata n. sp., Retiophyllia zizensis n. sp., Epismiliopsis paraeudesi n. sp., Phacelostylophyllum mg. arbustulum n. sp., Podosmilia horologium n. gen., n. sp., Stylophyllopsis bovista n. sp., S. veracolumella n. sp., Tubulosmilia regularis n. gen., n. sp. and Prismastrea organum n. gen., n. sp. So many new species appear surprising at first sight considering the special attention paid in this study to the correction of species diversity overestimations that took place in the literature of the last century as a consequence of a typological approach. Many taxa previously considered extinct at T-J boundary were still living during Pliensbachian times, various genera are known only for Pliensbachian. In addition, a small number of genera namely Isastrea, Montlivaltia and Thamnasteria have their first occurrence during this stage. Despite their low abundance during Pliensbachian, these genera will significantly increase their part in Middle and Upper Jurassic communities. Most collected coral assemblages come from both reefs and level-bottom assemblages found in carbonate platform situation.

Biogeography, reproductive biology and phylogenetic divergence within the Fungiidae (mushroom corals)

While the escalating impacts of climate change and other anthropogenic pressures on coral reefs are well documented at the coral community level, studies of species-specific trends are less common, owing mostly to the difficulties and uncertainties in delineating coral species. It has also become clear that traditional coral taxonomy based largely on skeletal macromorphology has underestimated the diversity of many coral families. Here, we use targeted enrichment methods to sequence 2476 ultraconserved elements (UCEs) and exonic loci to investigate the relationship between populations of Fungia fungites from Okinawa, Japan, where this species reproduces by brooding (i.e., internal fertilization), and Papua New Guinea and Australia, where it reproduces by broadcast-spawning (i.e., external fertilization). Moreover, we analyzed the relationships between populations of additional fungiid species (Herpolitha limax and Ctenactis spp.) that reproduce only by broadcast-spawning. Our phylogenetic and species delimitation analyses reveal strong biogeographic structuring in both F. fungites and Herpolitha limax, consistent with cryptic speciation in Okinawa in both species and additionally for H. limax in the Red Sea. By combining UCE/exon data and mitochondrial sequences captured in off-target reads, we reinforce earlier findings that Ctenactis, a genus consisting of three nominal morphospecies, is not a natural group. Our results highlight the need for taxonomic and systematic re-evaluations of some species and genera within the family Fungiidae. This work demonstrates that sequence data generated by the application of targeted capture methods can provide objective criteria by which we can test phylogenetic hypotheses based on morphological and/or life history traits.

Simplified, wall-based morphology of a new Aptian coral and discussion of contrasting opinions on the taxonomy of similar corals

Simplified, wall-based morphology of a new Aptian coral and discussion of contrasting opinions on the taxonomy of similar corals

Topics on current taxonomy of corals, II Why is it difficult to identify the species of <i>Montipora</i> corals?

Topics on current taxonomy of corals, II Why is it difficult to identify the species of <i>Montipora</i> corals?

サンゴ分類の話 連載 第1回 サンゴの和名問題（1）「クシハダミドリイシ／ナンヨウミドリイシ」

サンゴ分類の話 連載 第1回 サンゴの和名問題（1）「クシハダミドリイシ／ナンヨウミドリイシ」

Variation in the elemental stoichiometry of the coral–zooxanthellae symbiosis

Organismal elemental stoichiometry is important at all scales of ecological interactions, particularly in symbiosis. Symbiotic partnerships are found extensively in corals, where coral hosts and their photosynthetic dinoflagellate partners trade essential nutrients. Using an ecological stoichiometry framework, we assessed variations in carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) concentrations in coral hosts and symbiotic zooxanthellae. Our aim was to assess whether corals and zooxanthellae differ in the stoichiometry of C, N and P, which may indicate that corals regulate their symbionts by restricting their access to nutrients. We also investigated the influence of biological and environmental factors on the elemental stoichiometry of coral–zooxanthellae symbiosis. Analysing field data from four locations on the Great Barrier Reef using boosted regression tree models, we observed that C:P and N:P ratios are significantly higher in zooxanthellae than in their coral hosts, suggesting P limitation for zooxanthellae, although the degree of P or N limitation in zooxanthellae varied among coral taxa. Coral taxonomy was also a significant driver of coral–zooxanthellae stoichiometry variations at the species level. Geographical location had a small influence on the variations in stoichiometry. Our analyses suggest that coral species may differentially control the access of zooxanthellae to nutrients which may lead to variation in reef coral responses to nutrient enrichment.

Deep-sea Coral Taxonomy Workshop, Colombia 2019

Corals are some of the conspicuous taxa in deep-sea ecosystems. Yet, characterizing coral diversity is difficult and requires a combination of both morphological and genetic data. Many leading coral taxonomy experts are close-to retirement or have already retired. It is now imperative that the hands-on expertise that these taxonomists have – much of which is not captured in manuscripts or books – is transferred to the next generation. The Deep-Sea Coral Taxonomy Workshop, funded by a Lounsbery award from the Deep-Sea Biology Society, aimed to provide a training opportunities and build taxonomic capacity in Colombia and Latin America. Workshop participants examined the deep-sea coral diversity of the southern western Caribbean, a poorly explored region. The three-day workshop was based mainly on hands-on activities focused on octocorals and black corals, and included introductory talks to the taxonomy of these groups and identification activities using specimens. Thanks to the workshop, it was possible to review and update the classification database of the Makuriwa Marine Natural History Museum collection. Additionally, four new species from the families Clavulariidae, Plexauridae and Gorgoniidae were identified and will be described in the near future.

Characterization of the complete mitochondrial genome sequences of three Merulinidae corals and novel insights into the phylogenetics.

Over the past few decades, modern coral taxonomy, combining morphology and molecular sequence data, has resolved many long-standing questions about scleractinian corals. In this study, we sequenced the complete mitochondrial genomes of three Merulinidae corals (Dipsastraea rotumana, Favites pentagona, and Hydnophora exesa) for the first time using next-generation sequencing. The obtained mitogenome sequences ranged from 16,466 bp (D. rotumana) to 18,006 bp (F. pentagona) in length, and included 13 unique protein-coding genes (PCGs), two transfer RNA genes, and two ribosomal RNA genes . Gene arrangement, nucleotide composition, and nucleotide bias of the three Merulinidae corals were canonically identical to each other and consistent with other scleractinian corals. We performed a Bayesian phylogenetic reconstruction based on 13 protein-coding sequences of 86 Scleractinia species. The results showed that the family Merulinidae was conventionally nested within the robust branch, with H. exesa clustered closely with F. pentagona and D. rotumana clustered closely with Favites abdita. This study provides novel insight into the phylogenetics of species within the family Merulinidae and the evolutionary relationships among different Scleractinia genera.

Lobophora–coral interactions and phase shifts: summary of current knowledge and future directions

In studies on coral–algal interactions, particular attention has been devoted to corals. Focusing on the macroalgal genus Lobophora (Dictyotales, Phaeophyceae), common on coral reefs and extensively studied in coral–algal interactions, this review aims to summarize what is known and highlight the conditions necessary for Lobophora blooms, the contrasting effects on corals, and the taxonomic and functional diversity of the genus. Studies show that under normal conditions, Lobophora–coral interactions are natural and pose no specific threat to corals as long as the algal cover is controlled by coral defenses and herbivory. In contrast, disturbances freeing-up space for colonization and reducing herbivory permit Lobophora in association with other seaweeds to opportunistically take over reefs and by density-dependent negative feedbacks prevent corals from recovering. Lobophora is, however, a species-rich group and only certain Lobophora species thrive in degraded reefs, and the specificities of interactions and phase shifts will vary among species, thus stressing the importance of taxonomic identification in the study of coral–algal interactions. This review accentuates the complexity of coral–algal interactions and the importance to consider not only the taxonomy of corals and seaweeds but also their life history traits, ecology, microbiome, and the environmental settings.

Diversity and Abundance of Scleractinian Corals in the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia: A Case Study of Redang and Tioman Islands

The species lists of scleractinian hard corals in Peninsular Malaysia have not been updated for 15 years. The present study aimed to determine the diversity and abundance patterns of scleractinian hard corals at twenty eight fringing reef sites along the coast of Redang and Tioman Islands. Visual photograph analyses of the coral video transect method revealed a total of 128 species from 47 genera in Redang and 239 species from 55 genera in Tioman. Following recent taxonomy of scleractinian corals, coral surveys and past studies revealed a total of 166 species from 53 genera in Redang and 350 species from 67 genera in Tioman. Current data at both islands presented a total of 358 species from 69 genera and 15 families of scleractinian corals with an additional 8 new species records for the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia. Acropora, Montipora and Porites were the most dominant genera and were found distributed within the coral assemblages. The reefs around both islands can be categorized under “good” coral conditions with the live corals cover from 40.9% to 73.5%. Overall findings indicated that the less affected reef zones by coastal development and human activities at both islands have established good coral conditions and coral genera diversity.

The Value of a Deep-Sea Collection of the Azores (NE Atlantic Ocean): Marine invertebrate biodiversity in an era of global environmental change

The deep ocean is the largest and least explored biome with the highest richness of species and phylogenetic biodiversity on Earth. The high costs of using sophisticated technological means to access deep-sea ecosystems gives an inestimable value to specimens collected in these environments. Azorean scientists have long started collaborating with fishermen to collect deep-sea marine invertebrate fauna accidentally captured during fishing activities, thus obtaining deep-sea organisms opportunistically. Specimens have been stored and catalogued at the Department of Oceanography and Fisheries – University of the Azores’ Marine Biological Reference Collection (COLETA) since 2006. The collection has been continuously growing through oceanographic cruises and fisheries observer programs in the framework of several national and international collaborations. Currently, COLETA has 14367 specimens and samples corresponding to 10827 databased entries representing mostly corals (3415) and sponges (1941) of the deep sea (Fig. 1), for which data are available until 2012 (Institute of Marine Research (IMAR - Azores), Portugal and Department of Oceanography and Fisheries (DOP) - UAC, Portugal 2015). Specimens and associated metadata have contributed for the the taxonomy, population genetics and life history (age, growth, reproduction) of corals and other organisms. The homonym COLETA database, besides the taxonomic identification and photography of the specimen, has metadata including geographic location, depth, and the method of collection (e.g. survey, fishing). Thus, COLETA has also been instrumental in the mapping of distribution of biodiversity and vulnerable marine ecosystems such as coral gardens, sponge grounds, hidrarian gardens and sea pen fields in the Azores Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Efforts have been made to make COLETA compatible with other databases, such as the database of historical records of cold-water coral occurrences in the Azores (e.g. Prince Albert of Monaco Campaigns in the 19th century) and other fisheries databases, in order to maximize its potential to study trends in biodiversity loss related to climate change and fisheries impacts. Underwater images of live specimens from video surveys have also been cross-referenced with specimens stored at COLETA in an effort to join taxonomists and ecologists in the characterization of new habitats. Curated collections and datasets based on vouchered records, which can be continuously consulted, are essential to study deep-sea biodiversity. A continuously growing collection has also the potential of adding a time frame to the study of the impact of climate change, fishing and pollution on the deep-sea. In an era of biodiversity loss, COLETA represents a good example of where physical specimens and associated metadata databases can be combined to research and discover species, to achieve ecosystem conservation and guide marine spatial planning.

Identification of newly settled Caribbean coral recruits by ITS-targeted single-step nested multiplex PCR

As coral cover has declined throughout the Caribbean, interest in determining the potential for reef recovery via natural recruitment processes has increased. Studies investigating recruitment have been hampered by the difficulty of identifying early stage corals that often lack distinguishing morphological characters. In this study, the utility of targeting the noncoding ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions with a single-step nested multiplex (SSNM) PCR assay to identify common Caribbean coral species was investigated. To design this assay, a database of ITS sequences for 17 common Caribbean coral species was developed. Phylogenies based on the ITS region were generally consistent with current published coral taxonomy and indicated that the ITS regions provided sufficient variability to be useful for distinguishing corals to at least the genus level. Ultimately, we developed ITS-targeted single-step nested multiplex PCR assays capable of differentiating six corals to the species level, two to the genus level, and a pair of coral species that were recently separated at the genus level. This assay was used to classify coral recruits previously identified based on morphological characters. Agreement between these two approaches was low and highlighted the ability of the SSNM-PCR assay to increase the certainty and accuracy of coral recruit identifications. The coral SSNM assay shows promise as an effective method of identifying early stage corals to the genus or species level, and as a valuable tool in studies investigating reef recovery.

Oligocene‑Miocene Scleractinians from the Central Indo-Pacific: Malaysian Borneo and the Philippines

A new fossil coral collection enhances our understanding of scleractinian coral diversity during the origination of the Indo-Pacific biodiversity hotspot (Oligocene – earliest Miocene). The fossil corals were collected from Sarawak (Malaysia), Negros and Cebu (the Philippines). The oldest fossil specimens are from Cebu, found in the Calagasan Formation (late Oligocene – middle Chattian) and Butong Limestone (late Oligocene – late Chattian). The specimens from the Trankalan/Binaguiohan (Negros), Melinau and Subis Limestone (Sarawak) are all of early Miocene (Aquitanian) age. Forty-four morphospecies belonging to 30 genera were identified, and detailed taxonomic descriptions are provided. These data extend the temporal ranges of six coral genera (Acanthastrea, Astrea, Blastomussa, Coelastrea, Lobophyllia, Paramontastraea). By expanding our knowledge of scleractinian coral diversity and morphological variation in the Central Indo-Pacific, this new fossil collection provides important background for future studies of coral taxonomy, diversity and biogeography in the region.

Gradients in Primary Production Predict Trophic Strategies of Mixotrophic Corals across Spatial Scales

Mixotrophy is among the most successful nutritional strategies in terrestrial and marine ecosystems. The ability of organisms to supplement primary nutritional modes along continua of autotrophy and heterotrophy fosters trophic flexibility that can sustain metabolic demands under variable or stressful conditions. Symbiotic, reef-building corals are among the most broadly distributed and ecologically important mixotrophs, yet we lack a basic understanding of how they modify their use of autotrophy and heterotrophy across gradients of food availability. Here, we evaluate how one coral species, Pocillopora meandrina, supplements autotrophic nutrition through heterotrophy within an archipelago and test whether this pattern holds across species globally. Using stable isotope analysis (δ13C) and satellite-derived estimates of nearshore primary production (chlorophyll-a, as a proxy for food availability), we show that P.meandrina incorporates a greater proportion of carbon via heterotrophy when more food is available across five central Pacific islands. We then show that this pattern is consistent globally using data from 15coral species across 16 locations spanning the Caribbean Sea and the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Globally, surface chlorophyll-a explains 77% of the variation in coral heterotrophic nutrition, 86% for one genus across 10 islands, and 94% when controlling for coral taxonomy within archipelagos. These results demonstrate, for the first time, that satellite-derived estimates of nearshore primary production provide a globally relevant proxy for resource availability that can explain variation in coral trophic ecology. Thus, our model provides a pivotal step toward resolving the biophysical couplings between mixotrophic organisms and spatial patterns of resource availability in the coastal oceans.

Black corals (Anthozoa: Antipatharia) from the deep (916 m-2542 m) Coral Sea, north-eastern Australia.

Black corals (Anthozoa: Antipatharia) occur in all the world's oceans in a wide range of habitats from shallow-water coral reefs to the deep-sea. However, the taxonomy of black corals is poorly known compared to many other anthozoan groups. This knowledge gap is particularly acute for the deep-sea, where collecting specimens is logistically difficult and costly. Here, we identify 21 black coral specimens collected from the western Coral Sea adjacent to north-east Australia. The specimens represent five nominal species from five genera and two families. All species represent new records for the region, including the first record for the family Cladopathidae Brook, 1889. We describe the morphology of these specimens, note geographic and bathymetric range expansions, and provide evidence to support the hypothesis that Bathypathes seculata Opresko, 2005 is the juvenile stage of Bathypathes patula Brook, 1889, thus warranting synonymization. Our findings demonstrate that deep-sea antipatharians in this region are much more diverse than previously reported. Furthermore, this study highlights the importance of museum collections in terms of increasing our understanding of taxonomy and patterns of biodiversity, particularly for poorly-studied habitats such as the deep-sea.