Phylogenetics is the use of molecular sequencing techniques as well as morphological characteristics to establish evolutionary relatedness among groups of organisms. A study conducted by McCommas in 1991 examined the phylogenetic relationships of 12 species within the family Actiniidae and found that differences in morphology can indicate the lineages of different genera. These 12 species include Bunodosoma cavernata, Bunodosoma granulifera, Bunodosoma californica, Actinia tenebrosa, Anthopleura carneola, Anthopleura stellula, Anthopleura pallida, Bunodactis texaensis, Bunodactis stelloides, Bunodactis spp., Epiactis prolifera and Phyllactis conquilega Based on his results, the following evolutionary relationships among these 12 species were inferred. Morphological characteristics such as the presence or absence of adhesive verrucae on the body column are one of the key characteristic separating the Anthopleura and Bunodosoma. Other types of distinguishing characteristics include the absence of vesicles and verrucae in both Actinia and Epiactis and the presence of vesicles in Bunodosoma.