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 satsumaensis sp. n. Figures 75c, 82, 83, 86 Material examined. Holotype RMNH Coel. 41936 (AKM 743), Off Sata-misaki Cape, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan, 30°56.0025'N , 130°44.2299'E - 30°56.2953'N , 130°43.3981'E , 116-120 m, R/V Tansei-maru, KT07-1 cruise, St. SM-1, Chain Bag Dredge, coll. A.K. Matsumoto, 23 February 2007. Description. The holotype is a 16.5 cm long colony with holdfast (Fig. 75c). At the base the stem is 10 mm wide, the end branches are only 1 mm wide. On the lower half of the colony the polyps are situated on one side of the colony; the upper part has polyps all around the branches. The calyces are dome-shaped, and most polyps are expanded. Points with slightly bent spindles up to 0.20 mm long, distal end with more developed tubercles (Fig. 82a). Collaret with bent spindles up to 0.30 mm long, middle part with more developed tubercles (Fig. 82b). Tentacles with platelets, the larger ones crescent-shaped with irregular projections (Fig. 82c). These platelets are up to 0.15 mm long. Pharynx with straight spiny rods, up to 0.05 mm long (Fig. 82d). Coenenchyme with predominantly capstans (Fig. 82f), double disks (Fig. 82g), and unilaterally foliate spheroids (Fig. 83b), 0.05-0.15 mm long, and small clubs (Fig. 82h), up to 0.10 mm long. Spindles are also present, 0.10-0.25 mm long, with simple or complex tubercles (Fig. 83c). The calyces with additional clubs, up to 0.15 mm long (Fig. 83a). The axis has smooth and sparsely tuberculate rods (Fig. 82e). Figure 82. Sclerites of Melithaea satsumaensis sp. n., RMNH Coel. 41936; a point spindles b collaret spindles c tentacle sclerites d pharynx rods e axial rod f capstans g double disks h clubs of coenenchyme. Figure 83. Sclerites of Melithaea satsumaensis sp. n., RMNH Coel. 41936; a clubs of calyx b unilaterally foliate spheroids c spindles. Color. Colony orange with yellow polyps, coenenchymal sclerites orange, polyp ones yellow. Distribution. Off Cape Sata misaki, Kagoshima Prefecture (Fig. 86). Etymology. The species is named after the type locality, Satsuma, the old name of Kagoshima Prefecture. Remarks. This species is unique by its unilaterally foliate spheroids and spindles with complex tubercles.