Litophyton snakeensis, Van, 2020

Van Ofwegen, Leen P., 2020, The genus Litophyton Forskål, 1775 (Octocorallia: Alcyonacea: Nephtheidae) from Australia, Zootaxa 4764 (1), pp. 1-131 : 64-70

publication ID	https://doi.org/ 10.11646/zootaxa.4764.1.1
publication LSID	urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:53C5289A-156C-4AF1-B84A-73099A332C05
DOI	https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.3803546
persistent identifier	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/03BCB717-231E-FF95-FF35-825CFE12FDD2
treatment provided by	Carolina
scientific name	Litophyton snakeensis
status	sp. nov.

Treatment

Litophyton snakeensis View in CoL sp. nov.

( Figs. 49b View FIGURE 49 , 42e View FIGURE 42 , 52-53 View FIGURE 52 View FIGURE 53 )

Material examined. Holotype NTM C10439 , Queensland, Great Barrier Reef, Snake reef, depth 10-12 m, 14 December 1990, coll. J. Jan ; paratypes: NTM C3988, Queensland, Great Barrier Reef, Rib reef, depth 10-15 m, 26 May 1981, coll. Z. Dinesen; NTM C4011, Queensland, Great Barrier Reef, Davies reef, depth 10-15 m, 15 April 1981, coll. Z. Dinesen; NTM C4340, Queensland, Great Barrier Reef, Myrmidon reef, depth 0-5 m; 7 January 1981, coll. Z. Dinesen.

Description. The holotype NTM C10439 is 12 cm high and 12.5 cm wide, the stalk is 3.5 cm high ( Fig. 49b View FIGURE 49 ). The polyps are up to 0.80 mm high and 0.50 mm wide, and grouped in conical catkins.

Polyps. Without clear arrangement of sclerites ( Fig. 42e View FIGURE 42 ). Abaxial and lateral point sclerites are spindles with simple tubercles, up to 0.40 mm long ( Fig. 52a View FIGURE 52 ), adaxial scales and rods are present, which are also present in the tentacles ( Fig. 52 View FIGURE 52 b-c). Several of these scales and rods have a crystalline texture. Supporting bundle with spindles, up to 1.40 mm long, with simple tubercles ( Fig. 52d View FIGURE 52 ), and not projecting beyond the polyp head. Several polyp sclerites have an optically black inner core.

Surface layer top stalk. Spindles and unilaterally spinose spindles, up to 0.80 mm long, with simple and complex tubercles ( Fig. 52e View FIGURE 52 ).

Surface layer base stalk. Capstans, derivatives of capstans, spindles and unilaterally spinose spindles, the smaller sclerites with simple tubercles, the larger ones also with complex tubercles ( Fig. 53 View FIGURE 53 a-b). The capstans and derivatives of capstans are 0.05-0.15 mm long, the spindles are up to 0.60 mm long.

Interior stalk. Spindles, up to 1.5 mm long, with simple tubercles ( Fig. 53e View FIGURE 53 ), and pointed ends; several branched ( Fig. 53 View FIGURE 53 c-d).

Etymology. Named after the type locality.

Distribution. Great Barrier Reef: Snake reef, Rib reef, Davies reef, Myrmidon reef.

Remarks. The big interior spindles and many unilateral spinose spindles in the surface of the base of the stalk are characteristic for the species.