Genetic circumscription of deep-water coral species in Canada using 18S rRNA

Abstract

Many deep-water coral species have very broad global distributions and are eurybathic from depths of meters to kilometers. Such ecological breadth may be confounded by the presence of cryptic species. We are currently comparing the genetic distances between Paragorgia sp. and Primnoa sp. across their distribution and depth range in Canada using 18S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) sequences. Initial results show a confusing picture amongst the geographically distant Paragorgia taxa. Specimens of P. arborea from the Canadian Atlantic are very divergent from the specimen from the Canadian Pacific. The placement of Pennatula and Anthomastus relative to these taxa is also unexpected. We expect this topology to alter with the addition of more taxa and further testing.