Overview of the taxonomy of zooxanthellate Scleractinia

摘要: Coral taxonomy has entered a historical phase where nomenclatorial uncertainty is rapidly increasing. The fundamental cause mandatory adherence to monographs that lack essential information of all sorts, and also type specimens, if they exist at all, are commonly unrecognizable fragments or uncharacteristic the species believed represent. Historical problems, including incorrect subsequent designations, create for many well-established genera. advent insitu studies in 1970s revealed these issues; now molecular technology again changing taxonomic landscape. competing methodologies involved must be seen context avoid becoming an additional basis continuing instability. To prevent this happening, International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN) will need focus rules consolidate nomenclature allow designation new specimens unambiguous, which include both skeletal material soft tissue study. Taxonomic biogeographic findings have become linked, with providing capacity re-visit past decisions, extend biogeography into realm evolutionary theory. It proposed most ultimately as operational units human rather than natural constructs, consequence always fuzzy morphological, genetic, distribution boundaries. pathway ahead calls integration morphological taxonomies, website delivery crosses current discipline