Shallow-water zoantharians (Cnidaria, Hexacorallia) from the Central Indo-Pacific
Author
Reimer, James D.
Author
Poliseno, Angelo
Author
Hoeksema, Bert W.
text
ZooKeys
2014
444
1
57
http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.444.7537
journal article
http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.444.7537
1313-2970-444-1
FB83BDD3958A456DBFEA9C6C28D3E4D5
FB83BDD3958A456DBFEA9C6C28D3E4D5
Taxon classification Animalia Zoantharia Parazoanthidae
22.
Parazoanthus sp. 3
Figures 18C, D, 19
Specimens
examined
(n=2). RMNH Coel 40525,
Snellius-II
Expedition station 4.100, east of Komodo Island (
08°28.6'S
,
119°37.3'E
), depth 91 m, collected on September 19, 1984 by rectangular dredge; RMNH Coel 40545,
Snellius-II
Expedition station 4.051, east of Melolo, northeast Sumba (
09°53.5'S
,
120°42.7'E
), depth 75-90 m, collected on September 13, 1984 by rectangular dredge.
Photographic records.
NA.
Description.
This putative azooxanthellate species is similar in size to
Parazoanthus
sp. 2 above, with polyps of average 6.1 mm in height (range 2.5 to 10 mm; n=2 colonies) and average width of 3.2 mm (range 2 to 4 mm). Some small dark incrustations visible on lower half (=aboral) of
polyps'
scapus. Approximately 20 capitulary ridges, indicating tentacle counts of approximately 40. Polyps range from cream (RMNH Coel 40525) to tan (RMNH Coel 50545) in color when preserved. Polyps arise from a well-developed stoloniferous coenenchyme in rows, with most found along the upper and outer edges of flat, paddle-shaped sponges (Figures 18C, D). No polyps found on the lower
'foot'
or
'stalk'
of sponges.
Distribution.
Regions recorded in this study (Figure 19). Northeast Sumba (6), Komodo Island (8).
Past records. NA.
Remarks.
Similar in size to
Parazoanthus
sp. 2 above, we have included these two specimens as a separate putative species in this study. This is partly due to specimens being in association with a different sponge species (compare Figures 18B, C), as host specificity may differ between species (e.g.
Crocker and Reiswig 1981
;
Swain and Wulff 2007
). As well,
Parazoanthus
sp. 3 specimens are from deeper depths (75 to 91 m as opposed to 20 to 50 m) than
Parazoanthus
sp. 2.