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.