Taxonomic review and potential distribution of the genus Ceriantheomorphe (Cnidaria, Anthozoa, Ceriantharia) in the Atlantic Ocean

Abstract

Phylum Cnidaria is divided in two subphyum, Medusozoa and Anthozoaria. In the second is included the subclass Ceriantharia, which includes the family Cerianthidae that is the most representative in number of species and the genus Ceriantheomorphe. In this group, the species Ceriantheomorphe brasiliensis is remarkable for having figured in the Brazilian List of Endangered Species between 2004 and 2015, however there is no population study and its taxonomic consistency is not reliable. In this way, there are records of other species in Brazil, Cerianthus brasiliensis and unpublished studies indicate a possible correlation with the genus Ceriantheomorphe. Thus, this project aims to discuss the distribution area of the genus Ceriantheomorphe in the Atlantic Ocean and its taxonomic consistency. Based on specimens identified as Ceriantheomorphe from Uruguay, Brazil, Mexico and the United States studies will be divided in two different approaches, anatomic studies and cnidomes (morphometric). Molecular approaches will be held, although still depend on samples from the Gulf of Mexico for this purpose. The data on occurrence of Ceriantheomorphe will be compiled based on some literatures and specimens studied and a predictive modeling it will be conducted to estimate the potential distribution of the group. (AU)