Litophyton pseudorowleyensis, Van, 2020
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publication ID |
https://doi.org/ 10.11646/zootaxa.4764.1.1 |
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publication LSID |
urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:53C5289A-156C-4AF1-B84A-73099A332C05 |
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DOI |
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.3803568 |
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persistent identifier |
https://treatment.plazi.org/id/03BCB717-233D-FFCC-FF35-86E3FE9DF80D |
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treatment provided by |
Carolina |
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scientific name |
Litophyton pseudorowleyensis |
| status |
sp. nov. |
Litophyton pseudorowleyensis View in CoL sp. nov.
( Figs. 12c View FIGURE 12 , 13e View FIGURE 13 , 20 View FIGURE 20 )
Material examined. Holotype NTM C4013 , Queensland, Great Barrier Reef, John Brewer reef, depth 5-10 m, 8 February 1981, coll. Z. Dinesen ; paratypes: NTM C2246, March 1978, coll. D. Schubot; NTM C4099, Queensland, Great Barrier Reef, John Brewer reef, depth 10-13 m, 7 February 1981, coll. Z. Dinesen; NTM C4125, Queensland, Great Barrier Reef, John Brewer reef, depth 10-13 m, 7 February 1981, coll. Z. Dinesen; NTM C4150, Queensland, Great Barrier Reef, John Brewer reef, depth 5-10 m, 8 February 1981, coll. Z. Dinesen; NTM C4381, Queensland, Great Barrier Reef, John Brewer reef, depth 10-15 m, 7 February 1981, coll. Z. Dinesen.
Description. The holotype NTM C4013 is 7.5 cm high and 4.5 cm wide, the stalk is 2.2 cm high ( Fig. 12c View FIGURE 12 ). The polyps are up to 0.8 mm wide and 0.65 mm high, and are grouped in long catkins.
Polyps. With relatively regular arrangement of sclerites in eight points ( Fig. 13e View FIGURE 13 ). Abaxial and lateral point sclerites are spindles with simple tubercles and spiny distal part, largest present abaxially, up to 0.40 mm long ( Fig. 20a View FIGURE 20 ), towards the adaxial points they become smaller ( Fig. 20b View FIGURE 20 ). Tentacles with curved scales up to 0.10 mm long ( Fig. 20c View FIGURE 20 ). Adaxial side of the polyp stalk with many straight rods up to 0.10 mm long ( Fig. 20d View FIGURE 20 ), and platelets up to 0.05 mm long ( Fig. 20e View FIGURE 20 ). The polyp stalk sclerites have a crystalline texture, as do the smaller tentacle scales. Supporting bundle composed of one or two spindles up to 3.00 mm long, with simple tubercles and a spiny or sometimes smooth tip projecting for a maximum distance of 0.30 mm ( Fig. 20f View FIGURE 20 ). Many polyp sclerites have an optically black inner core.
Surface layer top stalk. Spindles, up to 2 mm long, with simple and complex tubercles ( Fig. 20g View FIGURE 20 ).
Surface layer base stalk. Capstans, derivatives of capstans, spindles, and unilaterally spinose spindles, with simple and complex tubercles ( Figs 20 View FIGURE 20 h-i). The spindles are up to 0.50 mm long.
Interior stalk. Spindles with pointed ends, up to 1.5 mm long ( Fig. 20j View FIGURE 20 ), with simple and complex tubercles ( Fig. 20l View FIGURE 20 ). Smaller spindles are flattened ( Fig. 20k View FIGURE 20 )
Etymology. The Greek Pseudo , for false, referring to the superficially similar L. rowleyensis sp. nov.
Distribution. Great Barrier Reef: John Brewer reef.
Remarks. NTM C4099 and NTM C4125 have longer internal spindles, up to 2.00 mm long.
The other Litophyton species with supporting bundle spindles with a smooth tip and platelets in the polyp stalk, L. rowleyensis sp. nov. (see below), has the supporting bundle projecting for a maximum distance of 0.80 mm. Furthermore, it has many more rods in the polyp stalk and polyp sclerites that are relatively well organised into point-like groups ( Fig. 13b View FIGURE 13 ).
No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.