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Description: <DIV STYLE="text-align:Left;"><DIV><DIV><P><SPAN>Meaningful distribution data at species level is dependent on a globally coherent taxonomic framework combined with reliable identifications at site level. Each confirmed distribution point requires that a record, specimen or photograph can be reliably allocated to one particular species rather than another. This is seldom straightforward.</SPAN></P><P><SPAN /></P><P><SPAN>Coral species, like most life, are not conveniently packaged into well- defined units which are readily recognizable everywhere and by everyone. Instead, they are notoriously variable within and between habitats and much more so across their full distribution range. This can make identification a challenge even locally, let alone on the global scale of Coral Geographic.</SPAN></P><P><SPAN /></P><P><SPAN>The long and complex history of coral taxonomy adds a further human dimension of complications arising from contrasting assessments of 'type' specimens of the nominal coral species by different workers, leading to differing taxonomic interpretations and synonymies, all of which are bound to the present by rules of nomenclature, see Overview of Coral Taxonomy.</SPAN></P><P><SPAN /></P><P><SPAN>We are not immune from these issues - the taxonomic framework presented on this website is evolving rapidly and will continue to do so with the increasing use of genetics in taxonomy and phylogeny. For example, we have not ascribed genera to families at present because of the rapid and continuing proposed changes among coral lineages, some of which are conflicting.</SPAN></P><P><SPAN /></P><P><SPAN>These issues come into sharp focus for field workers. It takes a substantial investment of time, effort and resources to develop the skills necessary to discriminate between similar or cryptic species, to know these species well enough to recognize them wherever they occur and to produce consistent, reliable and meaningful accounts of them. All this is readily apparent to those of us who have spent years, in some cases lifetimes, working with corals. Even so, ensuring that the variant ascribed to a species by one researcher in a given part of the world falls within the boundaries of the taxonomic variability we attribute to that species within our taxonomic framework, has often required detailed and time-consuming confirmation and has frequently not been possible.</SPAN></P><P><SPAN /></P><P><SPAN>Importantly, however, this work is not simply a gathering and processing of published information. It is a compilation of our own work to which that of others has been linked. As detailed below, the research of our core team has been global in extent and has addressed all taxa at species level so has the advantage of providing a consistent background against which to assess the records from elsewhere.</SPAN></P><P><SPAN /></P><P><SPAN>Although species records have been examined at site-level wherever available, the overall reliability of such lists is very variable (particularly in relation to cryptic and lesser known species). To deal with this significant source of error, we have chosen to limit distribution records to their presence and absence in a suite of 150 Ecoregions for which we have much higher confidence. Distributions at finer scales will continue to be refined as records at these scales can be confirmed.</SPAN></P><P><SPAN /></P><P><SPAN>Even at ecoregion level there are more than 120,000 data points (›830 species x 150 ecoregions) and, for each of these we have between 0 and 50 or so records of some kind. Each record has been assessed to contribute to our confidence in the presence of a species in an ecoregion.</SPAN></P><P><SPAN /></P><P><SPAN>For certain records, unless there are specimens or images or we have detailed knowledge of the research program in question, there is no easy way of confirming conclusively whether or not the species name associated with the record directly relates to the valid species or entity defined within our taxonomic framework. This is not a reflection on the fieldworker, it is the reality we are faced with in trying to draw into a common taxonomic framework, the records of globally variable and difficult species from a variety of sources.</SPAN></P><P><SPAN /></P><P><SPAN>In our attempts to maintain the quality and integrity of the data presented, it has often been necessary to exclude or downgrade data (including our own) which we have been unable to verify adequately. Wherever possible we will rectify such omissions where further specimens, images or information can be provided for confirmation.</SPAN></P><P><SPAN /></P><P><SPAN>We are also aware that the result will be seen by some as representing the 'world according to Veron et al.'. To the extent that differences between taxonomists are resolved within the Veron et al. collective consensus, this is true, albeit following significant discussion and review of relevant literature, including original descriptions, by the team. But it is also a necessary part of providing a single coherent taxonomic framework from which to make comparisons. We have integrated the taxonomy and views of colleagues wherever possible, and have cited alternative views where integration has not proved feasible (see Taxonomic Notes in the Taxon Finder tool and in each Species Factsheet). Such decisions may be reviewed in the light of feedback to this website.</SPAN></P></DIV></DIV></DIV>

Copyright Text: Veron J.E.N., Stafford-Smith M.G., Turak E. and DeVantier L.M. (2016). Corals of the World. Accessed 20 November 2016, version 0.01 (Beta). http://coralsoftheworld.org/v0.01.

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