DALY, M: Phylogenetic Systematics of the Edwardsiidae (Cnidaria: Anthozoa)

This study aims to evaluate the competing hypotheses for the evolution of the Edwardsiidae, and to redescribe and revise the genera within the Edwardsiidae. The results of these two investigations provide a way to explore assumptions about the utility and performance of different kinds of characters for reconstructing relationships and revising taxonomy within the Actiniaria. Systematic research on the sea anemone family Edwardsiidae has generally focused on the relationship between edwardsiids and the other members of the Zoantharia (actiniarian sea anemones, corals, and their kin). Arguments about zoantharian relationships have influenced the taxonomic status of the Edwardsiidae, have cast doubt on familial and generic monophyly, and have influenced the interpretation of edwardsiid anatomy. However, resolving relationships among the Zoantharia requires that we recognize, appreciate, and document the diversity of its constituents. Phylogenetic reconstruction and taxonomic revision for actiniarians has been hampered by concerns about the generality, variability, and informativeness of traditionally used diagnostic features. Newly identified morphological characters, molecular sequence data, and traditional diagnostic features are compared to determine the value of each source of information for actiniarian systematics. This research was supported by NSF grants DEB 9801370 to D.L. Lipscomb and M. Daly and DEB 9978106 (PEET) to D.G. Fautin.