Genus Oxynaspis Darwin, 1852 (emended)

Type species. Oxynaspis celata Darwin, 1852: 134 –136.

Type locality. Madeira, Portugal, attached to an Antipathes sp.

Diagnosis. All 5 plates completely, or nearly completely, lightly calcified, approximate or nearly so, sometimes with small un-calcified chitinous areas between scuta and carina. Scutum with shallow adductor muscle pit. Tergum with umbo apical. Carina extending up between terga, basal end rounded or truncate, not forked. Obligate symbionts of antipatharians.

Remarks. The plates are more fragile than Archoxynaspis gen. nov. or Pycnaspis gen. nov. and are easily broken or chipped. They are completely calcified, as in Archoxynaspis and Pycnaspis, and are not reduced as in Minyaspis gen. nov. The basal end of the carina is not forked, as it is in Minyaspis . Previously described species referable to Oxynaspis s.s., ordered alphabetically by species, type localities and their known hosts are listed below:

Oxynaspis alatae Totton, 1940: 470 –472; Mauritius; Aphanipathes alata

Oxynaspis cancellatae Totton, 1940: 468 –470; Kei Islands [Malaysia]; Aphanipathes cancellata Oxynaspis celata Darwin, 1852: 134; Madeira, Portugal; Antipathes sp.

Oxynaspis celata hirtae Totton, 1940: 474; West Indies; Parantipathes hirta

Oxynaspis celata indica Annandale, 1909: 69 –71; off Akyab, Northern Burma, 17 fathoms [31 m] and off Orissa, Bengal, India, 20 fathoms [37 m]; antipatharians

Oxynaspis celata japonica Broch, 1922: 275 –279; 33°41’ N, 128°50’ E [between South Korea and Kyushu, Japan]; 75 fathoms [137 m]; Antipathes sp.

Oxynaspis celata nova-zelandica Broch, 1922: 275 –279; 38°12’ S, 149°40’ E [east of Paradise Beach, Victoria, Australia]; 100–160 fathoms [183–293 m]; antipatharian

Oxynaspis gracilis Totton, 1940: 472 –473; West Indies; Antipathella gracilis

Oxynaspis pacifica Hiro, 1931: 143 –144; Seto, Prov. Kii; Toba, Prov. Shima; Misaki, Prov Sagami, Japan; 70–200 fathoms [128–366 m]; Antipathes sp.

Oxynaspis rossi Newman, 1972: 203 –206; Cabo San Lucas, Baja California, Mexico and Santa Catalina Island, California, U.S.A.; Antipathes sp.