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Story checked

Mysterious 'Golden Tree' Coral Is So Weird, Scientists Had to Create a New Family on The Tree of Life : ScienceAlert (opens in a new tab)

sciencealert.com · 2026-10-16

Short answerEvidenceSource

Short answer

Mixed

Mixed.

The claims we could check match the study, but some claims were not covered by the evidence reviewed.

  • 2 supported
  • 3 not covered

Checked against the study summary. The full text wasn't available, so some details couldn't be settled either way.

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Follow the evidence trail
1

The story

Mysterious 'Golden Tree' Coral Is So Weird, Scientists Had to Create a New Family on The Tree of Life : ScienceAlert

sciencealert.com · 2026-10-16

The story’s checkable claims.

Read the original story (opens in a new tab)
2

NewsLink checks it

Mixed

Every claim we could check holds up. Two of five claims match the study. This overall rating is based only on the claims we could check. Three claims the study doesn't address.

  • 2 supported
  • 3 not covered
Open claim evidence
3
Then inspect each claim

Evidence layer

Claim by claim

Each claim gets a verdict. Expand it to see the evidence directly below.

5 claims in this story

Showing all 5 claimsChoose a verdict to focus the list.

Claim 1 of 5Not coveredResearchers led by Odalisca Breedy named the coral Laurinque elenya, meaning "golden tree of the stars" in Quenya.View evidenceHide evidence

Why this verdict

The profile supports the taxon name Laurinque elenya gen. et sp. nov., but the abstract-level evidence supplied here does not verify that Odalisca Breedy led the researchers or that the name means “golden tree of the stars” in Quenya.

1

Study evidence

Erection of a new family Laurinqueidae fam. nov., and description of a new genus and species Laurinque elenya gen. et sp. nov., based on distinct morphological characters of colonies, polyps, and sclerites from ROV-collected deep-sea specimens.

“Here, a new family of gorgonian octocorals is described using an integrative taxonomic approach, combining morphological and genetic evidence.”
Claim 2 of 5Not coveredThe coral was found at depths of 360 to 529 meters during dives in 2019 and 2023, and its colonies can grow more than a meter tall and 1.2 meters wide.View evidenceHide evidence

As stated360 to 529 meters; more than a meter tall and 1.2 meters wide

Why this verdict

The supplied profile supports ROV collection from seamounts off Isla del Coco/Costa Rica at 360–529 m. However, at abstract depth it does not verify the claimed dive years, 2019 and 2023, or the colony size statement that colonies can exceed 1 m tall and 1.2 m wide.

1

Study evidence

Erection of a new family Laurinqueidae fam. nov., and description of a new genus and species Laurinque elenya gen. et sp. nov., based on distinct morphological characters of colonies, polyps, and sclerites from ROV-collected deep-sea specimens.

“Here, a new family of gorgonian octocorals is described using an integrative taxonomic approach, combining morphological and genetic evidence.”
Claim 3 of 5Not coveredThe researchers reported that Laurinque forms elaborate deep-sea coral gardens in extremely low-oxygen water at 8 to 11 degrees Celsius, and possible sightings may also exist off Panama and the Galápagos Islands.View evidenceHide evidence

As stated8 to 11 degrees Celsius

Why this verdict

The profile supports that the organisms came from deep-sea seamounts off Costa Rica, but the abstract-level evidence supplied here does not verify elaborate coral gardens, extremely low-oxygen water, the 8–11 °C temperature range, or possible sightings off Panama and the Galápagos. The story’s caveat that those possible sightings are unconfirmed is not itself verifiable from the supplied abstract profile.

1

Study evidence

Erection of a new family Laurinqueidae fam. nov., and description of a new genus and species Laurinque elenya gen. et sp. nov., based on distinct morphological characters of colonies, polyps, and sclerites from ROV-collected deep-sea specimens.

“Here, a new family of gorgonian octocorals is described using an integrative taxonomic approach, combining morphological and genetic evidence.”
Claim 4 of 5SupportedA strange golden, tree-like octocoral found off Costa Rica was so unusual that scientists created a new family on the tree of life to classify it.View evidenceHide evidence

Why this verdict

The abstract-level profile supports that the paper describes a new gorgonian octocoral family, Laurinqueidae, and a new genus/species, Laurinque elenya, using morphology plus genetic evidence. It also supports that the lineage is distinct and phylogenomically sister to Eunicellidae. The headline phrasing is colorful, but it does not materially outrun the body or the abstract evidence.

1

Study evidence

Erection of a new family Laurinqueidae fam. nov., and description of a new genus and species Laurinque elenya gen. et sp. nov., based on distinct morphological characters of colonies, polyps, and sclerites from ROV-collected deep-sea specimens.

“Here, a new family of gorgonian octocorals is described using an integrative taxonomic approach, combining morphological and genetic evidence.”
2

Study evidence

Phylogenomic analysis of UCEs and exons strongly supports placement of the new lineage in a distinct clade sister to Eunicellidae.

“Phylogenomic analysis of ultraconserved elements and exons strongly supports its placement in a unique clade, sister to Eunicellidae.”
Claim 5 of 5SupportedDNA analyses of three genetic markers initially pointed to different octocoral families, and broader genetic analysis was needed before the researchers concluded the coral is closely related to Eunicellidae but distinct from it.View evidenceHide evidence

Why this verdict

The profile directly supports that mtMutS, COI, and 28S single-gene analyses placed the taxon in different families and did not clarify its position. It also supports that broader phylogenomic analysis using UCEs and exons strongly placed the lineage as a unique clade sister to Eunicellidae.

1

Study evidence

Phylogenetic analysis of mtMutS, COI, and 28S did not clarify the position of the taxon, with each single-gene marker placing it in a different family.

“Phylogenetic analysis of two mitochondrial genes, mtMutS and COI, and the nuclear 28S rDNA did not clarify the position of the taxon, with each single-gene marker placing it in a different family.”
2

Study evidence

Phylogenomic analysis of UCEs and exons strongly supports placement of the new lineage in a distinct clade sister to Eunicellidae.

“Phylogenomic analysis of ultraconserved elements and exons strongly supports its placement in a unique clade, sister to Eunicellidae.”
Then look for missing context

Context layer

What the story left out

Important study details the story did not include.

  • At abstract depth, the profile does not provide specimen counts, voucher/repository details, full measurements, or detailed imaging/micromorphological methods.

    The story caveats mentioned only unconfirmed possible sightings off Panama and the Galápagos. It does not acknowledge these sampling and descriptive-detail limitations, which matter for evaluating precise size or specimen-based claims at abstract depth.

    From morphological taxonomic description

  • At abstract depth, the phylogenomic result is described qualitatively as strongly supported, but exact support values, locus counts, taxon sampling, missing-data levels, and inference-method details are not supplied.

    The story reflects the broad phylogenomic conclusion but does not mention the abstract-level limits on evaluating the strength and technical basis of the genetic inference.

    From Phylogenomic analysis (UCEs + exons)

5 things the story did carry across
  • The paper’s central contribution is the formal description of a new octocoral family, Laurinqueidae fam. nov., and new genus/species Laurinque elenya gen. et sp. nov., using an integrative taxonomic approach.
  • The taxonomic diagnosis rests substantially on specimen morphology, including colony growth form, branching, polyp characters, and sclerite/sclerome features.
  • Specimens were collected by ROV SuBastian from seamounts off Isla del Coco and the Costa Rica Pacific margin at depths of 360–529 m.
  • Single-locus phylogenetic analyses of mtMutS, COI, and 28S were incongruent, with each marker placing the taxon in a different family and failing to resolve placement.
  • Phylogenomic analysis of UCEs and exons strongly supported the new lineage as a unique clade sister to Eunicellidae, motivating the conclusion that phylogenomics is needed for deeply divergent octocoral lineages.
Then read the study layer

Study layer

Study at a glance

Scan the study first. Expand only the parts you want to inspect.

Pieces of work

3

Evidence read

study summary

Lead result

ex vivo animal

1Lead resultex vivo animalDescribe and diagnose a new octocoral lineage from deep-sea seamounts, including erection of a new family (Laurinqueidae fam. nov.) and description of a new genus and species (Laurinque elenya gen. et sp. nov.) using an integrative taxonomic approach.morphological taxonomic descriptionExpand

In plain English

Specimen-based morphological taxonomy establishes Laurinqueidae fam. nov., with a new genus and species Laurinque elenya gen. et sp. nov., from seamount-collected deep-sea octocorals. Diagnostic characters include large irregular-flabellate colonies with irregular lateral, dense sometimes anastomosing branching; thin coenenchyme with a sclerome of rods and spindles bearing simple or complex tubercles; an axial sheath with rods and radiates; tubular, elongate, partially retractile polyps in mounds arranged all around branches; anthocodiae with tuberculate rods/spindles and an inconspicuous collaret; colonies bright yellow alive. Specimens were collected by ROV (SuBastian) at 360–529 m off Isla del Coco and Costa Rica. The morphological diagnosis is presented as the basis for erecting the new family, while molecular phylogenetic results reported in the paper (single-marker incongruence; phylogenomic support for a clade sister to Eunicellidae) are noted as contextual evidence.

Key findings

  • Erection of a new family Laurinqueidae fam. nov., and description of a new genus and species Laurinque elenya gen. et sp. nov., based on distinct morphological characters of colonies, polyps, and sclerites from ROV-collected deep-sea specimens.
  • Morphological diagnosis: large irregular-flabellate colonies with irregular lateral dense branching (occasionally anastomosing); thin coenenchyme with a sclerome of rods and spindles bearing simple or complex tubercles; axial sheath with rods and radiates; tubular, conspicuously elongated polyps partially retractile into short cylindrical or dome-shaped mounds arranged around branches; anthocodiae with tuberculate rods/spindles arranged as points and an inconspicuous collaret; live colonies bright yellow.
“Here, a new family of gorgonian octocorals is described using an integrative taxonomic approach, combining morphological and genetic evidence.”
What this piece can’t prove
  • The abstract notes molecular incongruence among single-gene markers; reliance on morphology for erecting a new family could be affected by broader sampling or alternative molecular results not detailed here.

2 further details could not be confirmed from the summary.

2ex vivo animalAssess phylogenetic placement of the new taxon using single-locus markers (mtMutS, COI, 28S) and document incongruence across single-gene trees.single-locus phylogenetic analyses (mtMutS, COI, 28S)Expand

In plain English

The authors performed separate single-locus phylogenetic analyses of two mitochondrial genes (mtMutS, COI) and the nuclear 28S rDNA. Each single-gene tree placed the new taxon in a different family, so these markers did not clarify its phylogenetic position; the abstract highlights strong incongruence among single-marker gene trees.

Key findings

  • Phylogenetic analysis of mtMutS, COI, and 28S did not clarify the position of the taxon, with each single-gene marker placing it in a different family.
“Phylogenetic analysis of two mitochondrial genes, mtMutS and COI, and the nuclear 28S rDNA did not clarify the position of the taxon, with each single-gene marker placing it in a different family.”
What this piece can’t prove
  • Single-marker analyses (mtMutS, COI, 28S) produced discordant placements and were insufficient to resolve the taxon's phylogenetic position (as stated in abstract).
  • Abstract lacks methodological detail for alignment, model selection, tree inference algorithm, and support metrics for single-gene trees.
  • Authors note the need for phylogenomic analyses (hundreds of genes) to elucidate relationships among deeply divergent octocoral lineages.
3ex vivo animalResolve phylogenetic placement using phylogenomics (UCEs + exons), supporting the new lineage as a unique clade sister to Eunicellidae, and argue that phylogenomics is needed for deeply divergent octocoral lineages.Phylogenomic analysis (UCEs + exons)Expand

In plain English

Paper uses a phylogenomic dataset of ultraconserved elements (UCEs) and exons (described as “hundreds of genes”) to infer the placement of a newly described octocoral lineage. Phylogenomic analyses strongly support the lineage as a distinct clade sister to Eunicellidae, whereas separate single-gene analyses of mtMutS, COI, and 28S produced conflicting placements. The authors argue that phylogenomic datasets are necessary to resolve relationships among deeply divergent octocoral lineages.

Key findings

  • Phylogenomic analysis of UCEs and exons strongly supports placement of the new lineage in a distinct clade sister to Eunicellidae.
  • Single-marker gene trees (mtMutS, COI, 28S) are highly incongruent, each placing the taxon in a different family.
“Phylogenomic analysis of ultraconserved elements and exons strongly supports its placement in a unique clade, sister to Eunicellidae.”
What this piece can’t prove

3 further details could not be confirmed from the summary.

Finally, the search trail

Method layer

NewsLink found the paper. Tessa takes you deeper.

NewsLink checks the story. Tessa is where you inspect the paper, authors, evidence, and research context.

Papers considered

The selected paper, plus nearby candidates.

PubMed, Europe PMC, Crossref · 15 candidate papers

Candidate

Figure 7 from: Breedy O, McFadden CS, Murillo-Cruz C, Yánez-Suárez A-B, Robert K, Quattrini AM (2026) A coral among stars: A new octocoral family (Anthozoa, Octocorallia, Malacalcyonacea) from seamounts in the tropical eastern Pacific. ZooKeys 1283: 253-272. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1283.191899

2026 · Crossref

Source (opens in a new tab)
Candidate

Figure 3 from: Breedy O, McFadden CS, Murillo-Cruz C, Yánez-Suárez A-B, Robert K, Quattrini AM (2026) A coral among stars: A new octocoral family (Anthozoa, Octocorallia, Malacalcyonacea) from seamounts in the tropical eastern Pacific. ZooKeys 1283: 253-272. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1283.191899

2026 · Crossref

Source (opens in a new tab)
Candidate

Figure 5 from: Breedy O, McFadden CS, Murillo-Cruz C, Yánez-Suárez A-B, Robert K, Quattrini AM (2026) A coral among stars: A new octocoral family (Anthozoa, Octocorallia, Malacalcyonacea) from seamounts in the tropical eastern Pacific. ZooKeys 1283: 253-272. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1283.191899

2026 · Crossref

Source (opens in a new tab)
Candidate

Figure 4 from: Breedy O, McFadden CS, Murillo-Cruz C, Yánez-Suárez A-B, Robert K, Quattrini AM (2026) A coral among stars: A new octocoral family (Anthozoa, Octocorallia, Malacalcyonacea) from seamounts in the tropical eastern Pacific. ZooKeys 1283: 253-272. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1283.191899

2026 · Crossref

Source (opens in a new tab)
Candidate

Figure 2 from: Breedy O, McFadden CS, Murillo-Cruz C, Yánez-Suárez A-B, Robert K, Quattrini AM (2026) A coral among stars: A new octocoral family (Anthozoa, Octocorallia, Malacalcyonacea) from seamounts in the tropical eastern Pacific. ZooKeys 1283: 253-272. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1283.191899

2026 · Crossref

Source (opens in a new tab)

And 9 more candidates considered.