Calyptrophora Gray, 1866

Cairns, Stephen D., 2018, Primnoidae (Cnidaria: Octocorallia: Calcaxonia) of the Okeanos Explorer expeditions (CAPSTONE) to the central Pacific, Zootaxa 4532 (1), pp. 1-43 : 6-7

Genus Calyptrophora Gray, 1866

Calyptrophora Gray, 1866: 25 , fig. 1.— Bayer, 2001: 367 –368.— Cairns & Bayer, 2009: 44 –45.—Cairns, 2009: 420–426 (key to species); 2012: 42–43.

Type Species. Calyptrophora japonica Gray, 1866 , by monotypy.

Diagnosis. Colonies uniplanar to slightly bushy (lyrate, dichotomous, polychotomous) or unbranched (flagelliform). Polyps arranged in whorls or pairs, in most species directed upward ( japonica -complex) or less commonly downward ( wyvillei -complex). Polyps consist of two annular sclerite rings, the basal and buccal scales, each composed of two inseparably fused components; basal and buccal scales hinge on a straight articular ridge. Distal margins of body wall scales usually spinose, toothed or lobate. Coenenchymal scales elongate and flat, usually with a granular and sometimes ridged outer surface. Curved tentacular platelets usually present.

Discussion. The genus currently consists of 27 species: 19 in the japonica -complex, which have upward-directed polyps; seven in the wyvillei -complex, which have downward–directed polyps; and one indeterminate. This morphological division, while helpful in identifying species, is not supported by phylogenetic analysis, either using morphology (Cairns 2009) or molecular sequencing ( Cairns & Wirshing 2018). Furthermore, two species are known to have polyps that are oriented in both directions. This character may be due to a simple point mutation, and thus have less value in the classification of these species. The genus is more fully discussed by Cairns (2012).

A key to all 16 species known at that time was given by Cairns (2009), but because 11 additional species are now known, including four herein, a revised key is provided below. The order of the species below are initially grouped by their polyp orientation.

Distribution. Tropical and temperate latitudes in Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans, 227–3737 m.