Sphaeralcyon cf. scotti, Lopez-Gonzalez & Gili, 2005

Schejter, L., Genzano, G., Pérez, C. D., Acuña, F., Cordeiro, R. T. S., Silva, R. A., Garese, A. & Bremec, C. S., 2020, Checklist of Benthic Cnidaria in the SW Atlantic Ocean (54 ºS- 56 ºS), Zootaxa 4878 (2), pp. 201-239 : 220

Sphaeralcyon cf. scotti

Material examined: BBB 2016: St. 13.

Remarks: The genus Sphaeralcyon has three known species: S. shackletoni (distributed off Elephant Island, at the southern branch of the Scotia Arc, 3966–3974 m); S. weddellensis (recorded at eastern Weddell Sea, 418– 485 m) and S. scotti (distributed off South Sandwich Islands, Scotia Sea, 289– 308 m) ( López-González & Gili 2000 2005). The morphotype of the present study was sampled between Staten Is. and Burdwood bank (608 m) and represents the first record for the genus in Argentine waters.

Sphaeralcyon sp. presentes a well developed anthocodial armature, short spindles with large cone-like tubercles in stalk surface and spheroids absent, whereas S. weddellensis has reduced anthocodial armature and well developed tuberculate spheroids; and S. shackletoni has stalk surface sclerites ovoids with short tubercles. Our two specimens would fit S. scotti but the anthocodial armature is not clearly separated from the bases of the tentacles and the sclerites of the stalk suface are regular spindles with large cone-like turbercles, while S. scotti has anthocodial armature distinctly separated from the bases of the tentacles and the sclerites of the stalk surface are irregular rods with large cone-like turbercles. The abbreviation cf. (short for the Latin: confer/conferatur, both meaning “compare”) is used here to express a possible identity, but it’s necessary to analyze more sclerites to confirm the status of the specimens.