Litophyton oxleyensis sp. nov.

(Figs. 41e, 42c, 47-48)

Material examined. Holotype NTM C4669, Northern Territory, Arafura Sea, Oxley Island, depth 5 m, 20 October 1982, coll. P. Alderslade ; paratypes: NTM C837, March 1978, coll. D. Schubot; NTM C2283, no data; NTM C3173, Northern Territory, Burford Island, PA4, dry reef edge exposed, 13 October 1981, coll. P. Alderslade; NTM C3177- NTM C3178, Northern Territory, Burford Island, PA4, dry reef edge exposed, 14 October 1981, coll. P. Alderslade; NTM C3180, Northern Territory, Van Diemen Gulf, Burford Island, 13 October 1981, coll. P. Alderslade; NTM C3194, PA5, Northern Territory, Van Diemen Gulf, Trepang Bay, depth 1-1.5 m, 14 October 1981, coll. P. Alderslade; NTM C3225, Northern Territory, Trepang Bay, PA6, 1.5-6 m; 15 October 1981, coll. P. Alderslade; NTM C03266, Northern Territory, Coral Bay, PA8, exposed, 18 October 1982, coll. P. Alderslade; NTM C4591- NTM C4593, NTM C4595- NTM C4596, Northern Territory, Arafura Sea, Oxley Island, reef flat, 19 October 1982, coll. P. Alderslade; NTM C4655 Northern Territory, Arafura Sea, New Year Island, 15-20 feet, 13 October 1982, coll. P. Alderslade (crème and brown specimen).

Description. The holotype NTM C4669 is 10 cm high and 14.5 cm wide, the stalk is 4 cm high (Fig. 41e). The polyps are up to 0.90 mm wide and 0.60 mm high, and grouped in conical catkins.

Polyps. Without clear arrangement of sclerites (Fig. 42c). Abaxial point sclerites are spindles up to 0.35 mm long, with simple tubercles (Fig. 47a); a few are also present laterally (Fig. 47b). Scales and rods, 0.03-0.10 mm long, are present adaxially but most occur laterally, and they are also present in the tentacles and polyp stalk (Fig. 47 c-d). Supporting bundle without projecting spindles or one projecting for a maximum distance of 0.10 mm, composed of spindles, up to 1.50 mm long, with simple and complex tubercles (Fig. 47e). All polyp spindles have an optically black inner core (not indicated in drawing of polyp).

Surface layer top stalk. Capstans, derivatives of capstans, spindles and unilaterally spinose spindles (fig. 47f). Capstans 0.10-0.15 mm long and spindles up to 0.70 mm long. All these sclerites have simple and complex tubercles and an optically black inner core. The unilaterally spinose sclerites have long spines.

Surface layer base stalk. Capstans, derivatives of capstans, spindles and unilaterally spinose spheroids, all with simple and complex tubercles (Fig. 48 a-b). The spines of the spinose spheroids are very long. Capstans 0.05-0.20 mm long and spindles up to 0.40 mm long.

Interior stalk. Spindles up to 1.00 mm long, some are branched, others have a slight median waist, and with pointed or blunt ends (Fig. 48 c-d). All spindles have simple tubercles (Fig. 48e).

Etymology. Named after the type locality.

Distribution. Northern Territory.

Remarks. The permanent slides of the stalk of both specimens of NTM C4655 did not show any interior stalk spindles. Extra temporary slides showed the shorter ones with blunt ends.

NTM C3173, NTM C3177-NTM C3178, NTM C3180, NTM C3225, NTM C03266 and the brown specimen of NTM C4655 show no scales but rods in the polyp and few to none polyp stalk sclerites. As all other sclerites are similar I have included them in this species. They are included in the key of group IV as well.