Nucleotide sequencing of highly repetitive DNA from seven species in the coral genus Acropora (Cnidaria: Scleractinia) implies a division contrary to morphological criteria

Abstract

Nucleotide sequences have been determined for 31 homologous 118 base-pair highly repeated DNA sequences from seven species of Acropora. A matrix was constructed from the sequence data and subjected to phylogenetic analysis using heuristic search routines in the PAUP (phylogenetic analysis using parsimony) program, Version 3.0L. These analyses confirm a close relationship between two species of one subgeneric group (A. pulchra and A. millepora), but identify a division in a group of six species which is contrary to taxonomic groupings based on morphological criteria. Show more