Chrysopathes micracantha Opresko & Loiola, 2008

Lima, Manuela M., Cordeiro, Ralf T. S. & Perez, Carlos D., 2019, Black Corals (Anthozoa: Antipatharia) from the Southwestern Atlantic, Zootaxa 4692 (1), pp. 1-67 : 16-17

Chrysopathes micracantha Opresko & Loiola, 2008

Fig. 35

Chrysopathes sp. Opresko, 2005; Loiola, 2007 (in part).

Chysopathes micracantha Opresko & Loiola, 2008: 54–58 , figs. 3, 4, 5.

Type and type locality. USNM 1097219 (holotype): 29°50.9726’N, 79°37.5976’W, off Flórida , United States, 746–871 m ; USNM 77111 (paratype): 30°52’ N, 79°34’W, off Georgia, United States, 658 m ; USNM 1086635 (paratype): 30°16.56’N 79°20.38’W, off Florida , 836 m ; MNRJ 5150 (paratype): 22°24.655’S 39°55.413’W, Bacia de Campos , Brazil, 1130 m .

Diagnosis. “Corallum planar to somewhat bushy with overlapping branches; branched to fifth order. Stem and branches pinnulate and subpinnulate. Arrangement of primary pinnules as described for genus; 24–33 primary pinnules per cm. Anterior and posterior primary pinnules on smallest branches with one or two (subopposite) secondary pinnules; lateral primary pinnules usually simple or rarely with single subpinnule. Subpinnules more abundant on primary pinnules on thickest branches and stem; one subopposite pair per primary in some cases. Tertiary pinnules present on some secondaries but not common. Spines on pinnules simple, smooth, often very distinctly inclined distally; usually not more than 0.06 mm tall (from middle of base to apex) but to 0.10 mm at tips of pinnules. Abaxial side of spines three to seven times longer than adaxial side. Spines on middle and lower parts of pinnules becoming more triangular and less distally inclined. Polyps 2.2–2.8 mm in transverse diameter; arranged in a single row on upper or lateral side of pinnules” ( Opresko & Loiola, 2008).

Distribution. Western Atlantic, from USA to Brazil (fig. 35) ( Opresko & Loiola, 2008); occurs at depths between 658 m and 1130 m ( Opresko & Loiola, 2008).

Figures

FIGURE 35. Geographic distribution of antipatharians species occurring in the Southwestern Atlantic not analyzed in the present work.