Zoanthid Taxonomy

[Jon in SW Ohio]

Does anyone know of any good sites on the taxonomy and phylogeny of Zoanthids and Palythoas? I hear many people refer to the "people eaters" as Zoanthus giganteus, but can't find reference to that name or the author of this taxa. I've found a couple sites, and they've used DNA for classification which seems to point to many genera and species to be conspecific, making names like Protopalythoa a thing of the past. I would really like to find a place explaining the morphological differences between the currently accepted species/genera, and what all those genera/species are.

Thanks in advance! Taxonomy has always been one of my side hobbies to my regular hobbies, and if you ever need an orchid identified let me know.

Jon

 

[twon8]

I don't know of any, afaik the taxonomy is not settled, or even largely completed.

 

[MinibowMatt]

jreimer is a zoanthus biologist (or something like that) he can help you I would bet..

I still consider them protopaly, paly etc.. I remember gigantus or whatever as those huge caribbean polyps, that are supposed to be very poisonous. Until someone in the know publishes a book or something, I will always label them how borneman does..

 

[Azurel]

J.Reimer's work is starting to filter out into the hobby and literature now....