Gyrophyllum hirondellei Studer, 1891

López-González, Pablo J., Drewery, Jim & Williams, Gary C., 2022, A new family for the enigmatic sea pen genus Gyrophyllum Studer, 1891 (Octocorallia, Pennatulacea), a molecular and morphological approach, European Journal of Taxonomy 847, pp. 73-103 : 84-95

publication ID

https://doi.org/ 10.5852/ejt.2022.847.1983

publication LSID

lsid:zoobank.org:pub:8CA2CF9F-1281-42FA-A341-2F344637CF83

DOI

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7377290

persistent identifier

https://treatment.plazi.org/id/44483004-A821-570E-837D-81C94653FE19

treatment provided by

Felipe

scientific name

Gyrophyllum hirondellei Studer, 1891
status

 

Gyrophyllum hirondellei Studer, 1891 View in CoL

Figs 3–11 View Fig View Fig View Fig View Fig View Fig View Fig View Fig View Fig View Fig

Gyrophyllum hyrondellei Studer, 1891: 94 .

Gyrophyllum hyrondellei – Studer 1901: 35. — Roule 1905: 456. — Kükenthal & Broch 1911: 394 (in text). — Kükenthal 1915 (in text): 120. — Hickson 1916: 252 (in text). — Thomson 1927: 56. — Deichmann 1936: 286. — Tixier-Durivault & d’Hondt 1974b: 1420. — Williams 1995a (in text).

Material examined

NORTH EASTERN ATLANTIC – Azores • 1 spec.; North São Miguel ; 38º36.5′ N, 28º17.5′ W; depth 1260– 1258 m; 26 Nov. 1971; BIAÇORES 1971 exped.; stn.139; complete colony, 158 mm in length; MNHM OCT.A.579; MNHM. GoogleMaps – South Rockall Slope • 1 spec.; 56º08.71′ N, 17º34.64′ W –56º07.25′ N, 17º34.89′ W; depth 997– 101 m; 29 Sep. 2020; SCOTIA 1420S ; stn. S20321 View Materials #8008; complete colony, 103 mm in length; NMS.Z. 2022.1.1 - BECA (G-3832); NMS GoogleMaps 1 spec.; 56º08.71′ N, 17º34.64′ W –56º07.25′ N, 17º34.89′ W; depth 997– 101 m; 29 Sep. 2020; SCOTIA 1420S ; stn. S20321 View Materials #8009; complete colony, 78 mm in length; NMS.Z. 2022.1.2 - BECA (G-3835); NMS GoogleMaps 1 spec.; 56º08.71′ N, 17º34.64′ W –56º07.25′ N, 17º34.89′ W; depth 997– 101 m; 29 Sep. 2020; SCOTIA 1420S ; stn. S20322 View Materials #8010; complete colony, 110 mm in length; NMS.Z. 2022.1.3 - BECA (G-3831); NMS GoogleMaps 1 spec.; 56º08.83′ N, 17º29.77′ W –56º10.40′ N, 17º29.57′ W; depth 902–905 m; 29 Sep. 2020; SCOTIA 1420S ; stn. S20322 View Materials #11835; 1 fragment; BECA OPEN-665 (G-3834); BECA GoogleMaps 1 spec.; 56º24.30′ N, 17º23.04′ W –56º22.80′ N, 17º22.72′ W; depth 761–771 m; 30 Sep. 2020; SCOTIA 1420S; stn. S20323 View Materials #8006; complete colony, 112 mm in length; BECA OPEN-660 (G-3832). GoogleMaps South West Rockall Slope • 1 spec.; 57º07.11′ N, 19º59.63′ W –57º04.87′ N, 20º00.47′ W; depth 1002–1009 m; 3 Oct. 2020; SCOTIA 1420S; stn. S20331 View Materials #7706; complete colony, 84 mm in length; BECA OPEN-659 (G- 3830). GoogleMaps West Rockall Slope • 1 spec.; 56º42.59′ N, 16º30.85′ W –56º42.31′ N, 16º37.05′ W; depth 721–792 m; 14 Apr. 2021; SCOTIA 0421S; stn. S21172 View Materials #11670; complete colony, 203 mm in length; NMS.Z. 2022.1.4 - BECA (G-4015); NMS GoogleMaps 1 spec.; 56º42.59′ N, 16º30.85′ W –56º42.31′ N, 16º37.05′ W; depth 721–792 m; 14Apr.2021; SCOTIA 0421S ; stn. S21172 View Materials #11671;complete colony, 215 mm in length; BECA OPEN-661 (G-4016); BECA GoogleMaps 1 spec.; 56º42.59′ N, 16º30.85′ W –56º42.31′ N, 16º37.05′ W; depth 721–792 m; 14 Apr. 2021; SCOTIA 0421 S; stn. S21172 View Materials #11672; incomplete colony, lacking peduncle; NMS.Z. 2022.1.5 - BECA (G-4017); NMS GoogleMaps 1 spec.; 56º42.59′ N, 16º30.85′ W –56º42.31′ N, 16º37.05′ W; depth 721–792 m; 14 Apr. 2021; SCOTIA 0421 S; stn. S21172 View Materials #11678; complete colony, 218 mm in length; NMS.Z. 2022.1.6 -BECA (G-4018); NMS GoogleMaps 1 spec.; 56º42.59′ N, 16º30.85′ W –56º42.31′ N, 16º37.05′ W; depth 721–792 m; 14 Apr. 2021; SCOTIA 0421S; stn. S21172 View Materials #11801; incomplete colony, lacking peduncle; BECA OPEN-662 (G-4019); BECA. GoogleMaps South East Rosemary Seamount • 1 spec.; 59º05.85′ N, 09º52.94′ W –59º04.70′ N, 09º55.40′ W; depth 1051–1070 m; 10 Nov. 2021; SCOTIA 1621S; stn. S21553 View Materials #11834; complete colony, but peduncle eroded, 80 mm in length; BECA OPEN-663 (G-4095); Beca GoogleMaps 1 spec.; 59º05.85′ N, 09º52.94′ W –59º04.70′ N, 09º55.40′ W; depth 1051–1070 m; 10 Nov. 2021; SCOTIA 1621 S; stn. S21553 View Materials #11833; complete colony, 121 mm in length; BECA OPEN- 664 (G-4096); BECA GoogleMaps .

Morphological description

Colonies stout and clavate, pinnate distally ( Figs 3–4 View Fig View Fig ), up to 218 mm in length in the preserved state. Rachis in two distinct parts: distally a bilaterally symmetrical section bearing polyp leaves, and proximally a stalk of shorter length. Complete rachis is up to 110 mm in length (50.46% of overall length in the whole examined material) and up to 18 mm in width (measured at mid-length of distal rachis part, not including polyp leaves). Rachis-peduncle limit slightly prominently swollen ( Figs 3–4 View Fig View Fig ). Peduncle up to 108 mm in length (49.54% of overall length) and up to 11 mm in width at the widest point (the limit rachis-peduncle). Rachis with up to seven fleshy polyp leaves on each side, projecting somewhat obliquely and extending ventrally upward ( Fig. 3B, F View Fig ). Polyp leaves placed nearly oppositely, difficult to observe in preserved and contracted state ( Figs 3B, E View Fig , 4D View Fig ), increasing in size along the rachis until the mid-zone to last third, then quickly decreasing in size towards the distal part. Rachis with distinctive wide dorsal ( Figs 3B, E View Fig , 4C View Fig ) and reduced ventral track ( Figs 3F View Fig , 4B View Fig ) due to accumulation of ventral portion of polyp leaves bases. Polyp leaves nearly rectangular, not triangular, maximum length ~ 30 mm, maximum width ~ 45 mm. Axis present throughout colony, X-shaped in cross section, up to 2 mm in maximum diameter at rachis-peduncle limit, becoming progressively asymmetric with age ( Fig. 5A– B View Fig ). Autozooids numerous, up to approximately 45–50 in the largest polyp leaves, arranged in one or two (three?) indistinct rows ( Figs 3C, F View Fig , 4B View Fig , 6A–D View Fig ) appearing at different levels near the atutozooid apertures along ventral edge of polyp leaf. Anthocodiae up to 3.4 mm in length (excluding tentacles) and 2.4 mm in width, completely retractile into spiculiferous, and not-always evident ‘calyces’ usually equipped with one prominent lateral blunt to pointed process (BPP hereinafter) up to 3.4 mm in length (not always present or well developed even in the same polyp leaf, see Discussion) ( Figs 3C, F View Fig , 4B View Fig , 7A View Fig ). Along ventral edge of polyp leaves, autozooids and spiculiferous BPPs alternate ( Fig. 7 View Fig ). Tentacles of autozooid up to 3.5 mm in length in preserved state, with two kinds of processes, standard pinnules arranged in two lateral series ( Figs 8F View Fig , 9C View Fig ), and numerous filiform structures only present along the oral axial surface ( Figs 8C, E–H View Fig , 9A–C View Fig ). Siphonozooids minute, 0.32–0.55 mm in diameter (average 0.46 mm, N = 20), numerous, scattered on the lateral (actually proximal and distal) sides of polyp leaves ( Fig. 6E View Fig ), and rachis dorsal track (more difficult to detect).

Sclerites differentially distributed in various parts of colony: densely placed in rachis, including polyp leaves, calycular BPP ( Fig. 6D View Fig ), and along dorsal and ventral tracks, around openings of siphonozooids ( Fig. 6E View Fig ), along abaxial side of tentacular axis of autozooids ( Fig. 8G–H View Fig ); however, much more scattered on body of autozooids ( Fig. 8C–D View Fig ). Sclerites present in a reticular manner on polyp leaves, observable not only on surface ( Fig. 6E View Fig ) but also internally. Walls between consecutive autozooids thinner than outer surrounding wall ( Fig. 8A–B View Fig ). Similar reticular structures visible at rachis-peduncle limit ( Fig. 6F View Fig ) and on penduncle. Sclerites absent in pinnules (including filiform processes), polyp body, and pharynx. No minute bodies observed in peduncle.

Sclerites from polyp body and tentacular axis as blunt tree-flanged rods up to 0.25 mm and 0.31 mm in length, respectively ( Figs 8C–D View Fig , 10A View Fig ). Sclerites from polyp leaves (including those surrounding siphonozooids), calycular BPPs, rachis and peduncle as elongated three-flanged rods. Those from polyp leaves up to 0.52 mm in length ( Fig. 10B View Fig ). Sclerites from calycular BPPs up to 0.48 mm ( Fig. 10C View Fig ). Sclerites from exterior surface of rachis up to 0.44 mm in length ( Fig. 10D View Fig ). Sclerites from inner rachis up to 0.48 mm in length ( Fig. 11A View Fig ). Sclerites from surface of peduncle up to 0.36 mm in length ( Fig. 11B View Fig ). Sclerites from inner peduncle up to 0.35 mm in length ( Fig. 11C View Fig ).

Colour

Freshly collected colonies were light brown at peduncle, rachis stalk and the section of rachis bearing polyp leaves dorsally, but darker brown on surfaces of polyps and calycular BPPs with the sclerites visible as whitish trabecular structures. The autozooids themselves were dark brown. Preserved colonies are whitish to light brown ( Figs 3–4 View Fig View Fig ) while all sclerites are colourless.

Geographical and depth distribution

At present, Gyrophyllum hirondellei is known from the North Atlantic, from Rosemary Seamount and Rockall and Hatton Banks to Azores and Bahamas, over a bathymetric range of 721–2220 m depth, the shallower records being those in reported in this paper (see Table 1 View Table 1 ) ( Studer 1891; 1901; Roule 1905; Deichmann 1936; Tixier-Durivault & d’Hondt 1974b; present account).

MNHM

United States, Colorado, Colorado Springs, John May Museum of Natural History

NMS

Singapore, National University of Singapore, Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research, Zoological Reference Collection

MNHM

John May Museum of Natural History

NMS

National Museum of Scotland - Natural Sciences

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Cnidaria

Class

Anthozoa

SubClass

Haeckel

Order

Pennatulacea

Family

Pennatulidae

Genus

Gyrophyllum

Loc

Gyrophyllum hirondellei Studer, 1891

López-González, Pablo J., Drewery, Jim & Williams, Gary C. 2022
2022
Loc

Gyrophyllum hyrondellei

Tixier-Durivault A. & d'Hondt M. - J. 1974: 1420
Deichmann E. 1936: 286
Thomson J. A. 1927: 56
Hickson S. J. 1916: 252
Kukenthal W. & Broch H. 1911: 394
Roule L. 1905: 456
Studer T. 1901: 35
1901
Loc

Gyrophyllum hyrondellei

Studer T. 1891: 94
1891
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