Topics on current taxonomy of corals, II Why is it difficult to identify the species of Montipora corals?

Abstract

Montipora corals are inconspicuous in the fields, but their species diversity is extremely high. Moreover, species identification in the corals are very difficult and are generally avoided by researchers. In this commentary, we considered why Montipora species identification is difficult. The answers include the following factors: significant intraspecific morphological variations of the genus are source of taxonomic barriers and confusions as well as species identification; the literatures (chiefly illustrated guidebooks and monographs) do not give researchers adequate clues for species identification; the literatures do not clearly show the distinguishing points from related species; species covered in the literatures represent only a part of the whole; accuracy of species identification in the literatures is not high; the nominal names of this genus are not well re-examined. Therefore, in order to correctly identify Montipora species, it is necessary to provide the literatures in which the above factors are addressed and eliminated.