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 daviesensis sp. nov. ( Figs. 1b , 2b , 5 ) Material examined. Holotype NTM C4149 , Queensland , Great Barrier Reef , Davies reef, depth 10-15 m , 15 April 1981 , coll. Z. Dinesen . FIGURE 1 . Litophyton type specimens: a, L. cockburnensis n. sp. , holotype NTM C10288; b, L . daviesensis n. sp. , holotype NTM C4149; c-f, L . elfordensis n. sp. , c, holotype NTM C193, d, paratype NTM C192, e, paratype NTM C4022; f, paratype NTM C4135; g, L . projectum n. sp. , holotype NTM C4203. FIGURE 2 . Lateral views polyp armature of Litophyton ; a, L. cockburnensis n. sp. , holotype NTM C10288; b, L . daviesensis n. sp. , holotype NTM C4149; c, L . dipensis n. sp. , holotype NTM C362; d-h, L . elfordensis n. sp. , d-e, holotype NTM C193, f, paratype NTM C192; g, paratype NTM C4022; h, paratype NTM C4135. FIGURE 3 . Litophyton cockburnensis n. sp. , holotype NTM C10288; a, abaxial point spindles; b, lateral and adaxial point sclerites; c, tentacle scales; d, polyp stalk rods; e, part of supporting bundle spindle; f, xeniid type sclerites; g, sclerites of surface layer top of stalk, h, sclerites of surface layer base of stalk; i, tuberculation of interior base stalk spindle; j-k, spindles of interior base of stalk. Scale at b also applies to c-d; scale at e also applies to g-h, k. FIGURE 4 . Litophyton robustum ( Kükenthal, 1895 ) holotype SMF 65; a, lateral view polyp armature, b, abaxial point sclerites; c, lateral point sclerite; d, tentacle scales; e, polyp stalk rods; f, part of supporting bundle spindle; g, sclerites of surface layer top of stalk, h, spindles of interior top of stalk; i, sclerites of surface layer base of stalk; j-k, spindles of interior base of stalk. Scale at d also applies to e; scale at i also applies to b-c, f-h, k. FIGURE 5 . Litophyton daviesensis n. sp. , holotype NTM C4149; a, abaxial point spindles; b, lateral point spindle; c, tentacle rods; d-e, polyp stalk rods; f, part of supporting bundle spindles; g, spindles of surface layer top of stalk, h-i, sclerites of surface layer base of stalk; j, spindles of interior base of stalk; k, tuberculation of interior base stalk spindle. Scale at b also applies to c-d, h; scale at a also applies to f, i; scale at j also applies to g. Description. The holotype NTM C4149 is 14 cm high and 6 cm wide, the stalk is 5 cm high ( Fig. 1b ). The polyps are up to 1.00 mm wide and 0.50 mm high, and are grouped in conical catkins. Polyps . With irregular arrangement of sclerites in eight points ( Fig. 2b ). Abaxial and lateral point sclerites are spindles with simple tubercles and spiny distal part, largest present abaxially, up to 0.50 mm long ( Fig. 5a ), towards the adaxial points they become smaller ( Fig. 5b ). Tentacles with curved rods and scales up to 0.15 mm long ( Fig. 5c ). Adaxial side of the polyp stalk with straight rods up to 0.10 mm long ( Fig. 5 d-e). Supporting bundle composed of one or two spindles up to 2.50 mm long, with simple tubercles and a spiny tip projecting for a maximum distance of 0.30 mm ( Fig. 5f ). Many polyp sclerites have an optically black inner core. Surface layer top stalk . Spindles and unilaterally spinose spindles, up to 2.40 mm long, with simple and complex tubercles ( Fig. 5g ). Surface layer base stalk . A few capstans and derivatives of capstans ( Fig. 5 h-i), but mostly spindles, and unilaterally spinose spindles, with simple and complex tubercles; similar to those of the top of the stalk. These spindles are up to 2.00 mm long. Interior stalk . Spindles with pointed ends, up to 2.00 mm long ( Fig. 5j ), with complex tubercles ( Fig. 5k ). Etymology. Named after the type locality. Distribution . Great Barrier Reef: Davies reef. Remarks . L . myrmidonensis sp. nov. and L . rowleyensis sp. nov. also have very long spindles in the interior of the base of the stalk. Both differ in having supporting bundle spindles with a smooth projecting end. Moreover, L . myrmidonensis has many radiates and derivatives of radiates in the base of the stalk, and L . rowleyensis differs in having ovals in the polyp stalk.