Actiniaria (Cnidaria: Anthozoa) of Port Phillip Bay, Victoria : Including a Taxonomic Case Study of Oulactis Muscosa and Oulactis Mcmurrichi
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Southern Cross University ePublications@SCU Theses 2010 Actiniaria (Cnidaria: Anthozoa) of Port Phillip Bay, Victoria : including a taxonomic case study of Oulactis muscosa and Oulactis mcmurrichi Michela Mitchell Southern Cross University Follow this and additional works at: https://epubs.scu.edu.au/theses Part of the Genetics Commons, Marine Biology Commons, Natural Resources and Conservation Commons, and the Zoology Commons Publication details Mitchell, M 2010, 'Actiniaria (Cnidaria: Anthozoa) of Port Phillip Bay, Victoria : including a taxonomic case study of Oulactis muscosa and Oulactis mcmurrichi', MSc thesis, Southern Cross University, Lismore, NSW. Copyright M Mitchell 2010 ePublications@SCU is an electronic repository administered by Southern Cross University Library. Its goal is to capture and preserve the intellectual output of Southern Cross University authors and researchers, and to increase visibility and impact through open access to researchers around the world. For further information please contact [email protected]. Actiniaria (Cnidaria: Anthozoa) of Port Phillip Bay, Victoria: including a taxonomic case study of Oulactis muscosa and Oulactis mcmurrichi Submitted by Michela Mitchell B. App. Sci. (Coastal Management) Hons. (SCU, 1997) Thesis submitted to fulfill the requirements of Masters by Research Southern Cross University February, 2010 I certify that the work presented in this thesis is, to the best of my knowledge and belief, original, except as acknowledged in the text, and that the material has not been submitted, either in whole or in part, for a degree at this or any other university. I acknowledge that I have read and understood the University’s rules, requirements, procedures and policy relating to my higher degree research award and to my thesis. I certify that I have complied with the rules, requirements, procedures and policy of the University (as they may be time to time). Print Name:……………………………………………………….……. Signed:…………………………………….…………………….……… Date:………………………………………………………………….… Acknowledgements Without the support and help of many people this thesis would not be possible: My Supervisors – Prof Peter Harrison and Dr Danny Bucher – who fulfilled their primary task in picking me up and dusting me off when the going got tough Dr Daphne Fautin – Kansas University Dr Genefor Walker-Smith – Thank you for the hours of reviewing and feedback. Dr Robin Wilson, Dr Tim O’Hara and Dr Mark Norman, Dr Gary Poore, Dave Staples and Chris Rowley, Dr Jo Taylor (Melbourne Museum) The Victorian Field Naturalists Marine Research Group – for all their knowledge and provision of specimens Dr Simon Davey and technical staff of Wellington University for the collection and provision of specimens Bruce Alboaz (Melbourne University - Histology) Western Australian Museum, South Australian Museum and Australian Museum staff for the loan of specimens and hospitality when visiting, particularly Loisette Marsh for sharing her local knowledge. The students in the Melbourne Museum Invertebrate Lab – for their support Dr Peter Davie Queensland Museum My many field assistants: Damien Frawley, Maddi Grage, Alison Hudson, Raurie Johnson, Tasman Hudson, Bec Jack. Australian Marine Scientists Association – Victorian Branch for providing a travel grant to the AMSA/NZ Conference 2008 Maria Cenic and the rest of the Slade Group team – thanks for the support and understanding Lastly, but not least, the anemone gang for all their support: Dr Carden Wallace – Museum of Tropical Queensland and Andrea Crowther – Kansas University. So many anemones, so little time! And everybody else who helped!! Lastly I dedicate this work to the people who have passed away while undertaking this work; my sister Debbie, Uncle Rex, Colin “Bub” King, Mrs Eileen Macdonald, Mrs Lyn Cahill, and Mr Clarrie Handreck, all who meant so much to me. Publications Arising from this Research (at time of submission) Worthington Wilmer, J. & Mitchell, M. L. 2008. A preliminary investigation of the utility of ribosomal genes for species identification of sea anemones. In, Davie, P.J.F. & Phillips, J.A. (Eds), Proceedings of the Thirteenth International Marine Biological Workshop, The Marine Fauna and Flora of Moreton Bay, Queensland. Memoirs of the Queensland Museum—Nature 54(1): 65–73. Brisbane. ISSN 0079-8835. ABSTRACT This study is the first dedicated survey cataloguing the actiniarian fauna of Port Phillip Bay, Victoria, Australia. There is a paucity of knowledge of Australian Actiniaria (true sea anemones) fauna. Therefore, Australian marine fauna surveys and most field guide books identify many sea anemones only to genus, if they are identified at all. Much of the knowledge of Australian actiniarian fauna is based upon preserved specimens, resulting from broad scale surveys, and sent to overseas actiniarian specialists for identification and description, and most species lack information on important in-vivo characteristics. Surveys of Actiniaria fauna were conducted in new, and previously surveyed areas, of Port Phillip Bay. In addition, preserved Port Phillip Bay Actiniaria specimens housed in Museum Victoria, were examined to verify previous species identifications. Sixteen Actiniaria species, including Oulactis muscosa, are documented for Port Phillip Bay. In addition, four potentially new actiniarian species, that could not be verified during this study, were recorded. Actiniarian taxonomy is a complex discipline, and problems of species identifications are exacerbated because important in-vivo characteristics are lost during the preservation process. In addition, poorly preserved material and lack of detailed information on characteristics of living actiniarians has meant that important data needed for distinguishing species is often absent. Therefore cryptic species and information on intraspecific regional variation of species is usually lacking. Oulactis muscosa and Oulactis mcmurrichi are two morphologically similar actiniarian species that need taxonomic re-evaluation. Taxonomic keys for southern actiniarian fauna do not distinguish between the two species because of their similarity in appearance; and it may be the case that they constitute a single species. Accordingly, a taxonomic case study of the two Australian Oulactis species was conducted to determine if they should be synonymised. As genetics are increasingly being used in taxonomic studies, the use of ribosomal DNA as an aid in identifying actiniarian species was evaluated. Oulactis muscosa and O. mcmurrchi in-vivo characteristics were documented from Australia, New Zealand and Argentina. In addition, morphological characteristics of Oulactis specimens from Australian Museums were documented together with newly collected specimens from Australia and New Zealand. The results from this study indicate that Oulactis muscosa and Oulactis mcmurrichi should remain as two separate species. Important in-vivo characterics are critical to the identification of these species. The regional intraspecific variation of these species is considerable, and therefore it is possible that some of these morphological variants represent potentially new species of Oulactis. Further analyses of these species and other actiniarians examined in this study that incorporate genetic analyses may provide additional valuable information for resolving the taxonomic status of actiniarian species in Australia. It was found that ribosomal DNA may aid in distinguishing cryptic species, intraspecific regional variations, and identify juveniles and adults that have differences in appearance. This study has provided some important baseline data for future work on Port Phillip Bay Actiniaria and Oulactis species in Australia and New Zealand. TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter 1 General Introduction ..................................................................................... 1 1.1 Actiniarian Anatomy ...................................................................................... 2 1.2 Cnidae ............................................................................................................ 4 1.3 Actiniarian Life Cycle.................................................................................... 5 1.4 Reproduction .................................................................................................. 5 1.4.1 Sexual Reproduction .............................................................................. 6 1.4.2 Gametogenesis ....................................................................................... 6 1.4.3 Sexual Reproduction Modes .................................................................. 7 1.4.4 Asexual Reproduction ............................................................................ 8 1.5 Ecology .......................................................................................................... 8 1.5.1 Actiniarian Diet ...................................................................................... 8 1.5.2 Predators of Sea Anemones ................................................................... 9 1.5.3 Symbiotic Associations .......................................................................... 9 1.6 Human Use................................................................................................... 11 1.6.1 Biomedical Research ........................................................................... 11 1.6.2 Aquarium Trade ................................................................................... 11 1.7 Taxonomy ...................................................................................................