Melithaea suensoni, Matsumoto, Asako K. & van Ofwegen, Leen P., 2015

Matsumoto, Asako K. & van Ofwegen, Leen P., 2015, Melithaeidae of Japan (Octocorallia, Alcyonacea) re-examined with descriptions of 11 new species, ZooKeys 522, pp. 1-127 : 32

Taxon classification Animalia Alcyonacea Melithaeidae

Melithaea suensoni sp. n. Figures 75d, 84, 85, 86

Material examined.

Holotype ZMUC ANT-000565, off Nagasaki, 32°22'N, 128°42'E, 170 fms (311 m), 25 December 1900, coll. Suenson.

Description.

Colony branched in one plane, with slender branches (Fig. 75d). Points with slightly bent spindles up to 0.30 mm long, distal end with more developed tubercles or leaves (Fig. 84a). Collaret with bent spindles up to 0.35 mm long, middle part with more developed tubercles (Fig. 84b). Tentacles with platelets, the larger ones crescent-shaped with irregular projections (Fig. 84c). These platelets are up to 0.15 mm long. Pharynx with straight spiny rods, up to 0.05 mm long (Fig. 84d). Coenenchyme with capstans (Fig. 84e) and disk spindles (Figs 84f, 85c), 0.05-0.15 mm long, and small clubs of similar length (Fig. 84g). Spindles are also present, 0.15-0.30 mm long, with simple or complex tubercles (Fig. 85b). The calyces with additional clubs, up to 0.20 mm long (Fig. 85a).

Color.

White with orange calyces and polyps. Sclerites of calyces and polyps faint pink, all others colorless.

Distribution.

Off Nagasaki, East China Sea (Fig. 86).

Etymology.

The species is named after the collector, E. Suenson, who belonged to the Telegraph company Great Nordic Ltd. (Store Nordiske), established in 1869 at Denmark ( Matsumoto 2014, 2015).

Remarks.

This species resembles Melithaea sagamiensis sp. n., but differs by its thicker coenenchymal spindles.