Litophyton brewerensis sp. nov.

(Figs. 41a, 42a, 43-44)

Material examined. Holotype NTM C4050, Queensland, Great Barrier Reef, John Brewer reef, depth 5-10 m, 7 February 1981, coll. Z. Dinesen ; paratypes: NTM C02236-NTM C2238, Queensland, Briggs reef, Bommie, surface, March 1978, coll. P. Alderslade; NTM C2248, Queensland, Briggs-Sudbury reef, March 1978, coll. P. Alderslade; NTM C2260-NTM C2261, Queensland, Masthead reef, 31 August 1974, coll. P. Alderslade;? NTM C2939, Queensland, Orpheus island, Pioneer Bay, depth 10-15 m, coll. J. Coll; NTM C10003, cf. alba; Queensland, Orpheus island, Pioneer Bay, coll. P. Alino.

Description. The holotype NTM C4050 is 8 cm high and wide, the stalk is 1.5 cm high (Fig. 41a). The polyps are up to 0.80 mm wide and 0.90 mm high, and grouped in long catkins.

Polyps. Without clear arrangement of sclerites (Fig. 42a). Abaxial point sclerites are spindles with simple tubercles, up to 0.40 mm long (Fig. 43a), laterally and adaxially scales and rods are present, which are also present in the tentacles and polyp stalk (Fig. 43b). Supporting bundle without projecting spindles or one projecting for a maximum distance of 0.10 mm. Spindles of the supporting bundle up to 1.40 mm long, with simple tubercles (Fig. 43c). Several polyp sclerites have an optically black inner core.

Surface layer top stalk. Spindles and unilaterally spinose spindles, up to 0.60 mm long, with simple and complex tubercles (Fig. 43d).

Surface layer base stalk. Capstans and derivatives of capstans, 0.05-0.15 mm long. Spindles and unilaterally spinose spindles are also present, up to 0.70 mm long (Fig. 43e). The smaller sclerites have simple tubercles, the larger ones also complex tubercles.

Interior stalk. Spindles, up to 1.20 mm long, with pointed ends (Fig. 43 f-g) and simple tubercles (Fig. 43h).

Etymology. Named after the type locality.

Distribution. Great Barrier Reef: John Brewer reef, Briggs-Sudbury reef,? Orpheus island.

Remarks. NTM C2248 differs from the other material in colony shape (Fig. 41b), probably the colony was dried out at some stage.

The species mostly resembles L. snakeensis sp. nov., but differs in having more slender interior stalk spindles and many capstans and derivatives of capstans in the surface layer of the stalk.

NTM C2236-NTM C2238 were examined using temporary slides.

NTM C2939 and NTM C10003 are included in this species, but with some doubts. They differ from the other specimens in having numerous rods in polyp stalk (Fig. 44c) instead of scales. In this aspect these specimens resemble L. legiopolypum (see below). However, they lack the short branched spindles with rough tubercles in the base of the stalk of the colony (Fig. 44h).