Biogeographic Patterns in Sea Pens (Octocorallia: Pennatulacea)

Abstract

Pennatulaceans (Octocorallia: Pennatulacea) are among the most dominant octocoral species living in soft bottom communities. Some of them are cosmopolitan and have been recorded in all seas and oceans of the world, from shallow waters up to about 6260 m deep. In the present study, we try to find answers to questions about the biogeographical distribution of sea pens including most recently described species. We also evaluate the diversity and faunistic affinities among pennatulaceans of the world’s oceans, and determine the degree of faunistic isolation of the Mediterranean Sea from the Atlantic. Finally, we return to the old debate about the hypothetical oldest diversification center of sea pen lineages.