Hexapathes hivaensis, Molodtsova, 2006

Molodtsova, Tina N., 2006, New species of Hexapathes Kinoshita, 1910 (Anthozoa, Antipatharia, Cladopathidae) from the South-West Pacific, Zoosystema 28 (3), pp. 597-606 : 598-599

Hexapathes hivaensis n. sp.

( Figs 1 ; 2A, B ; 3)

TYPE MATERIAL. — Holotype: French Polynesia, Marquesas, off Nuku Hiva , RV Alis, MUSORSTOM 9, CP 1300 , 8°49.9’S, 140°17.4’W, 416-430 m ( MNHN, alcohol-preserved specimen).

ETYMOLOGY. — The specific name “hivaensis” is derived from “Hiva”, ancient Polynesian name of the Marquesas Islands.

DISTRIBUTION. — The species is known only from the type locality.

DIAGNOSIS. — Corallum ( Fig. 1 ) monopodial and pinnulate. Primary pinnules in two lateral rows and two irregular anterior rows. Lateral pinnules simple, elongated, arranged alternately, except for the most basal ones that are subopposite; inclined and curved distally and backwards relative to the polyp side of the corallum. Anterior pinnules ( Fig. 2A ) simple and of varying

New Hexapathinae from the South-West Pacific length, often as long as lateral pinnules, extended out almost perpendicular to the plane containing the stem and lateral pinnules. Spines on pinnules small (Fig. 3), triangular to conical in lateral view, smooth, mostly 0.03-0.05 mm at lateral pinnules and up to 0.09 mm at anterior pinnules, arranged in irregular axial rows, five to seven of which are visible in side view. Polyps ( Fig. 2B )

3.1-5.3 mm in transverse diameter, with long oral cone up to 3.0- 3.5 mm, arranged in one series with up to 2.5-3 polyps per cm.

DESCRIPTION OF THE HOLOTYPE

Figures

FIG. 1. — Hexapathes hivaensis n. sp., holotype, entire corallum. Scale bar: 2 cm.

FIG. 2. — A, B, Hexapathes hivaensis n. sp., holotype; A, arrangement of pinnules; B, polyps; C, D, Hexapathes alis n. sp., holotype;