Litophyton squamatum sp. nov.

(Figs. 49c, 42f, 54-55)

Material examined. Holotype NTM C4136, Queensland, Great Barrier Reef, Davies reef, depth 5-10 m, 15 April 1981, coll. Z. Dinesen .

Description. The holotype NTM C4136 is 10 cm high and 6.5 cm wide, the stalk is 3 cm high (Fig. 49c). The polyps are up to 1.2 mm high and 0.8 mm wide, and grouped in long catkins.

Polyps. Without clear arrangement of sclerites (Fig. 42f). Abaxial and point sclerites are spindles up to 0.50 mm long, with dense simple and complex tubercles (Fig. 54a), laterally they are smaller and less tuberculate (Fig. 54b). Adaxial scales and rods are present, which are also present in the tentacles and polyp stalk (Fig. 54c). Supporting bundle composed of spindles, up to 1 mm long, with simple tubercles (Fig. 54d). The supporting bundles spindles have an optically black inner core (not shown in drawing of polyp).

Surface layer top stalk. Spindles and unilaterally spinose spindles, up to 0.50 mm long, with dense simple and complex tubercles (Fig. 54e).

Surface layer base stalk. Capstans, derivatives of capstans, spindles and unilaterally spinose spindles, all with dense simple and complex tubercles (Fig. 55 a-b). The capstans and derivatives of capstans are 0.05-0.15 mm long, the spindles are up to 0.40 mm long.

Interior stalk. Spindles, up to 0.7 mm long, with simple and complex tubercles (Fig. 55e), and pointed ends; several are branched (Fig. 55 c-d).

Distribution. Great Barrier Reef: Davies reef.

Etymology. The Latin squamatum, scaly, referring to the many big scales in the polyps of this species.

Remarks. The species resembles L. oxleyensis sp. nov., but differs by its interior spindles having pointed ends.