Melithaeidae of Japan (Octocorallia, Alcyonacea) re-examined with descriptions of 11 new species Author Matsumoto, Asako K. Author van Ofwegen, Leen P. text ZooKeys 2015 522 1 127 http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.522.10294 journal article http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.522.10294 1313-2970-522-1 72178B43CB244C57A24323CB13B9A8BF 72178B43CB244C57A24323CB13B9A8BF Taxon classification Animalia Alcyonacea Melithaeidae Melithaea keramaensis sp. n. Figures 56a, 57, 58, 65 Material examined. Holotype RMNH Coel. 41925 (AKM 1148), off Kerama Isls., Okinawa Prefecture, Japan, 26°09.45'N , 127°26.90'E - 26°09.65'N , 127°26.81'E , 85-71 m, R/V Tansei-maru, KT08-33, St. KR-09, Chain Bag Dredge, coll. A.K. Matsumoto, 15 December 2008; paratype RMNH Coel. 41926 (AKM 1139), off Kerama Isls., Okinawa Prefecture, Japan, 26°12'N , 127°30'E , 56-51 m, R/V Tansei-maru, KT08-33, st. KR-10, coll. A.K. Matsumoto, 15 December 2008. Description. The holotype is a 12 cm long fragment without holdfast (Fig. 56a). At the base the stem is 1 cm wide, the end branches are only 1 mm wide. The polyps are situated laterally on the branches, the calyces hardly project beyond the coenenchyme and most polyps are retracted. Points with slightly bent spindles up to 0.20 mm long, distal end with more developed tubercles (Fig. 57a). Collaret with bent spindles up to 0.25 mm long, middle part with more developed tubercles (Fig. 57b). Tentacles with platelets, the larger ones crescent-shaped with irregular projections (Fig. 57c). These platelets are up to 0.15 mm long. Pharynx with straight spiny rods, up to 0.05 mm long (Fig. 57d). Coenenchyme with predominantly capstans (Fig. 57e), double disks (Fig. 57h), and small clubs (Fig. 57f), 0.05-0.08 mm long. Spindles (Fig. 58a) and disk spindles (Fig. 58b) are also common, 0.10-0.15 mm long. The calyces with additional leaf clubs, up to 0.15 mm long (Fig. 58c). Figure 56. a Melithaea keramaensis sp. n., RMNH Coel. 41925, holotype b Melithaea modesta , ZMB 5807, syntype c Melithaea mutsu SMBL-Cni1017. Figure 57. Sclerites of Melithaea keramaensis sp. n., RMNH Coel. 41925; a point spindles b collaret spindles c tentacle sclerites d pharynx rods e axial rod f clubs of coenenchyme g capstans h double disks. Figure 58. Sclerites of Melithaea keramaensis sp. n., RMNH Coel. 41925; a spindles b disk spindles, the top four seen from the underside c clubs of calyx. Color. Colony red with white calyces and polyps. Coenenchymal sclerites orange, calyx and polyp sclerites colorless. Variation. The paratype is very much alike the holotype regarding color and sclerites. Distribution. The species is only known from the Kerama Islands (Fig. 65). Etymology. The species is named after its type locality, the Kerama islands. Remarks. The species mostly resembles Melithaea abyssicola but differs in having longer disk spindles but shorter normal spindles. It also has more finely sculptured polyp sclerites.