哥斯达黎加大学研究团队在哥斯达黎加太平洋沿岸海山发现了一种遗传特征与物理特征极为独特的黄色珊瑚，不属于任何已知珊瑚科1。这种珊瑚呈现明亮黄色，具有分枝状树形结构，某些菌落高度超过1米1。研究人员在深度360-529米的海域采集了标本，标本来自2019年和2023年两次远程潜水器探险1。
经过深入的分子生物学分析，研究团队建立了一个全新的珊瑚科来对其进行分类1。这一新科被命名为Laurinqueidae科，其最近的已知亲缘关系为Eunicellidae科1。新物种被学名为Laurinque elenya，中文名为"金色树珊瑚"，其名称源自托尔金创作的精灵语Quenya1。研究初期的三个基因测序结果不一致，研究人员随后采用系统基因组学方法比较了数百个基因才最终确定其分类地位1。这一发现由国家地理学会资助，凸显了深海生态系统的复杂性与未知性1。
Scientists have identified a striking yellow coral off the Pacific coast of Costa Rica that is so genetically and physically distinct that it cannot be classified within any existing coral family 1. Found on a seamount at depths between 360 and 529 meters, the vibrant organism displays branching tree-like structures, with some colonies reaching heights exceeding one meter 1.
Researchers led by teams at the University of Costa Rica have established an entirely new coral family, Laurinqueidae, to accommodate the species, which they have named Laurinque elenya, or the golden tree coral 1. The scientific name draws from Quenya, the Elvish language created by J.R.R. Tolkien 1. The closest known relatives of this new family are corals within the Eunicellidae family 1.
The discovery emerged from remote submersible expeditions conducted in 2019 and 2023, during which researchers collected specimens for analysis 1. Initial genetic sequencing using three separate genes produced inconsistent results, prompting scientists to employ systematic genomic methods comparing hundreds of genes to definitively establish the organism's taxonomic classification 1. The research was funded by the National Geographic Society 1.
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