The genus Litophyton Forskål, 1775 (Octocorallia: Alcyonacea: Nephtheidae) from Australia Author Van Ofwegen, Leen P. text Zootaxa 2020 2020-04-16 4764 1 1 131 journal article 22824 10.11646/zootaxa.4764.1.1 55f6b110-0a37-45fe-be1c-34e9a035fe0e 1175-5334 3764923 urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:53C5289A-156C-4AF1-B84A-73099A332C05 Litophyton horseshoeensis sp. nov. ( Figs. 85d , 89b , 92-93 ) Material examined . Holotype NTM C2256 , Queensland , Horseshoe reef, Bommie Top , 11 November 1980 , coll. P. Alderslade ; paratypes : NTM C 1366-68 , 1370, 1379, Queensland , Swain reef, Sweet-lip reef, 15 November 1980 , coll. P. Alderslade; NTM C 1392-95 , Queensland , Bills reef, 8 November 1980 , coll. P. Alderslade; NTM C1396, Queensland ; Central reef, coll. P. Alderslade; NTM C2255; Queensland , Horseshoe reef, Bommie Top, 11 November 1980 , coll. P. Alderslade; NTM C3992, Queensland , Great Barrier Reef, Davies reef, depth 5-10 m , 16 April 1981 , coll. Z. Dinesen. Description . The holotype is 7.5 cm high and 4.5 cm wide, the stalk is 1.5 cm long ( Fig. 89b ). The polyps are up to 0.6 mm wide and 0.5 high, grouped in spherical catkins. Polyps . With irregular arrangement of sclerites in eight points ( Fig. 85d ). Abaxially and lateral point sclerites are spindles with simple tubercles and spines; abaxially up to 0.50 mm long, laterally they are up to 0.25 mm long ( Fig. 92 a-b). Adaxially there are small, curved scales, up to 0.10 mm long, similar to those of the tentacles ( Fig. 92c ). The polyp stalk has straight rods, up to 0.10 mm long ( Fig. 92d ). Supporting bundle not projecting or slightly so, composed of spindles, up to 1.80 mm long, with simple tubercles and one spiny end ( Fig. 92e ). Surface layer top stalk. Capstans, derivatives of capstans, spindles, and unilaterally spinose spindles, all with simple and complex tubercles ( Fig. 92 f-g). Capstans 0.05-0.20 mm long; spindles up to about 0.60 mm long. Surface layer base stalk . Capstans, thorny derivatives of capstans, spindles, and unilaterally spinose spindles, all with simple and complex tubercles ( Figs. 92h , 93a ). Capstans 0.05-0.15 mm long; spindles up to about 0.50 mm long. Interior stalk . Spindles, up to 1 mm long, with pointed ends ( Fig. 93c ), and simple and complex tubercles ( Fig. 93b ). The smaller spindles often have side branches ( Fig. 93b ). Etymology . Named after the holotype locality. Distribution . Great Barrier Reef: Horseshoe reef, Sweet-lip reef, Bills reef, Central reef, Davies reef. Remarks. NTM C1379 has somewhat longer internal stalk spindles, up to 1.20 mm long. L . horseshoeensis resembles L. debilis ( Kükenthal, 1895 ) ( Ternate ) ( Figs. 69e , 77 ), but has many thorny derivatives of capstans in the surface of the base of the stalk.