Litophyton pseudorowleyensis sp. nov.

(Figs. 12c, 13e, 20)

Material examined. Holotype NTM C4013, Queensland, Great Barrier Reef, John Brewer reef, depth 5-10 m, 8 February 1981, coll. Z. Dinesen ; paratypes: NTM C2246, March 1978, coll. D. Schubot; NTM C4099, Queensland, Great Barrier Reef, John Brewer reef, depth 10-13 m, 7 February 1981, coll. Z. Dinesen; NTM C4125, Queensland, Great Barrier Reef, John Brewer reef, depth 10-13 m, 7 February 1981, coll. Z. Dinesen; NTM C4150, Queensland, Great Barrier Reef, John Brewer reef, depth 5-10 m, 8 February 1981, coll. Z. Dinesen; NTM C4381, Queensland, Great Barrier Reef, John Brewer reef, depth 10-15 m, 7 February 1981, coll. Z. Dinesen.

Description. The holotype NTM C4013 is 7.5 cm high and 4.5 cm wide, the stalk is 2.2 cm high (Fig. 12c). The polyps are up to 0.8 mm wide and 0.65 mm high, and are grouped in long catkins.

Polyps. With relatively regular arrangement of sclerites in eight points (Fig. 13e). Abaxial and lateral point sclerites are spindles with simple tubercles and spiny distal part, largest present abaxially, up to 0.40 mm long (Fig. 20a), towards the adaxial points they become smaller (Fig. 20b). Tentacles with curved scales up to 0.10 mm long (Fig. 20c). Adaxial side of the polyp stalk with many straight rods up to 0.10 mm long (Fig. 20d), and platelets up to 0.05 mm long (Fig. 20e). The polyp stalk sclerites have a crystalline texture, as do the smaller tentacle scales. Supporting bundle composed of one or two spindles up to 3.00 mm long, with simple tubercles and a spiny or sometimes smooth tip projecting for a maximum distance of 0.30 mm (Fig. 20f). Many polyp sclerites have an optically black inner core.

Surface layer top stalk. Spindles, up to 2 mm long, with simple and complex tubercles (Fig. 20g).

Surface layer base stalk. Capstans, derivatives of capstans, spindles, and unilaterally spinose spindles, with simple and complex tubercles (Figs 20 h-i). The spindles are up to 0.50 mm long.

Interior stalk. Spindles with pointed ends, up to 1.5 mm long (Fig. 20j), with simple and complex tubercles (Fig. 20l). Smaller spindles are flattened (Fig. 20k)

Etymology. The Greek Pseudo, for false, referring to the superficially similar L. rowleyensis sp. nov.

Distribution. Great Barrier Reef: John Brewer reef.

Remarks. NTM C4099 and NTM C4125 have longer internal spindles, up to 2.00 mm long.

The other Litophyton species with supporting bundle spindles with a smooth tip and platelets in the polyp stalk, L. rowleyensis sp. nov. (see below), has the supporting bundle projecting for a maximum distance of 0.80 mm. Furthermore, it has many more rods in the polyp stalk and polyp sclerites that are relatively well organised into point-like groups (Fig. 13b).