AN EXPERIMENTAL OR TENTATIVE REVISION OF THE GENUS CLIONA UTILIZING THE PRINCIPLES OF NUMERICAL TAXONOMY

The genus Cliona was experimentally, tentatively revised by using the pairgroup method and an IBM 7090 computer program written especially for this type of work. The data analyzed were compiled from the literature. In addition, data obtained from 47 specimens of 3 "species," C. truitti, lobata and celata, from Virginia, Louisiana and Texas were analyzed separately to give an estimate of variation within species and also to check the method. Control groups consisting of data from three to eight independent descriptions of four species were entered into the experimental revision analysis in order to yield a quantitative estimate of the levels at which different named species must be synonymized. As a result of this analysis 9 Cliona are tentatively recognized: celata, the type; abyssorum; hixonii; howsei; lesueuri; lobata; mucronata; vastifica; and vermifera. Cliona abyssorum needs a new name because the name is preoccupied; abyssalorum is proposed. Cliona viridis falls to Cliona howsei on the basis of priority.