Litophyton graafae sp. nov.

(Figs. 13a, 14-15, 21f)

Material examined. Holotype NTM C4095, Queensland, Great Barrier Reef, John Brewer reef, depth 5-10 m, 8 February 1981, coll. Z. Dinesen ; paratype NTM C4097, coll. Z. Dinesen (probably same data as holotype).

Description. The holotype NTM C4095 is 9.5 cm high and 8 cm wide, the stalk is 4 cm high (Fig. 21f). The polyps are up to 0.50 mm wide and 0.40 mm high, and are grouped in long catkins.

Polyps. With irregular arrangement of sclerites in eight points (Fig. 13a). Abaxial and lateral point sclerites are spindles with simple tubercles and blunt terminal projections, largest present abaxially, up to 0.40 mm long (Fig. 14a); towards the adaxial points they become smaller (Fig. 14b). Tentacles with curved scales up to 0.10 mm long (Fig. 14c). Adaxial side of the polyp stalk with straight rods up to 0.10 mm long (Fig. 14 d-e). Supporting bundle composed of one or two spindles up to 1.60 mm long, with complex tubercles and a leafy projecting part projecting for a maximum distance of 0.10 mm (Fig. 14f). Many polyp sclerites have an optically black inner core (not shown in polyp drawing).

Surface layer top stalk. A few capstans present but mostly spindles and unilaterally spinose spindles, up to 1.60 mm long, with complex tubercles (Figs. 14g, 15 a-b).

Surface layer base stalk. Capstans, derivatives of capstans, spindles, and unilaterally spinose spindles, with complex tubercles and long spines (Fig. 15c). The spindles are up to 1.20 mm long.

Interior stalk. Spindles with pointed ends, up to 1.20 mm long (Fig. 15d), with large complex tubercles (Fig. 15f); the smaller spindles distinctly flattened (Fig. 15e).

Etymology. Named after my girlfriend Jose de Graaf.

Distribution. Great Barrier Reef: John Brewer reef.

Remarks. This is the only Australian species of Litophyton with projecting supporting bundle spindles with leafy distal end.Also the interior spindles with rather large simple tubercles and the large derivatives of capstans characterise this species.

The paratype NTM C4097 has not only supporting bundle spindles with leafy distal end but also its larger point spindles have a leafy appearance.

The unilaterally spinose sclerites with very long spines are very distinctive but in group I are also present in L. dipensis sp. nov., L. elfordensis sp. nov., and L. myrmidonensis sp. nov. The differences between these species are discussed with L. dipensis .