We describe five new species of black corals from the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea, collected at depths ranging from 14 to 789 m: two in the family Antipathidae (Antipathes falkorae sp. nov. and Antipathes morrisi sp. nov.), two in the family Aphanipathidae (Aphanipathes flailum sp. nov. and Rhipidipathes helae sp. nov.), and one in the family Cladopathidae (Hexapathes bikofskii sp. nov.). We also present a phylogeny of 80 black corals reconstructed from a target capture dataset of ultraconserved elements and exons, to show the systematic relationships among new and nominal species. This phylogeny also represents a backbone for future species descriptions and research into the evolutionary history of the Antipatharia.

Depth range
14- 789 m

Mesophotic “mentions”
0 x (total of 9743 words)

Classification
* Presents original data
* Reports new species
* Focused on 'mesophotic' depth range
* Focused on 'mesophotic coral ecosystem'

Fields
Taxonomy
Biodiversity
Molecular ecology

Focusgroups
Antipatharia (Black Corals)

Locations
Australia - Coral Sea
Australia - Great Barrier Reef

Platforms
Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV)
SCUBA (open-circuit or unspecified)