Eunicea pallida

Sánchez, Juan Armando, 2009, Systematics of the candelabrum gorgonian corals (Eunicea Lamouroux; Plexauridae; Octocorallia; Cnidaria), Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 157 (2), pp. 237-263 : 253-254

EUNICEA PALLIDA GARCÍA- PARRADO & ALCOLADO,

1997 ( FIGS 2T , 8C )

Eunicea pallida García-Parrado & Alcolado, 1997: 46 (holotype: Instituto de Oceanología , Cuba).

Description: Colonies up to 0.5 m in height, long ascendant branches of 3–7 mm diameter ( Fig. 8C ). Dry specimens white. Polyps retracted in ample apertures, minute conic walls. Aperture oval in shape and toward the branch tips a smooth border. Middle layer sclerites transparent spindles 0.7–1.5 mm, usually less than 1 mm length. Anthocodial crown reduced, flat rod sclerites, no collar, smallest in Euniceopsis . Surface sclerites torch clubs (0.09–0.17 mm), sharp tips coming off the head.

Diagnostic features: The axial layer contains purple spindles (0.13–0.22 mm) with spines and usually with a few projecting spines ( Fig. 2T ).

Distribution and habitat: Until now there are just records from Cuba (type species), Jamaica, Tobago, and the Colombian Caribbean, probably widespread in the Caribbean province. Fore-reef terraces moderate to highly exposed to wave movement at intermediate depths (12–20 m).

Examined material: ICN-MHN-CO-074 (E-110), Albuquerque Cays (12° 11′ 44″N, 81° 52′ 10″W), Colombian Caribbean, col. J.A. Sánchez, 3.vi.1994, leeward terrace 16 m. USNM 97693 (25), Tesoro island , Rosario islands , Caribbean coast of Colombia, col. J.A.Sánchez & A.Ramirez, 10.xii.1992; Reef slope, 25 m. INV-CNID-384 (E-111). Albuquerque Cays, (12° 08′ 14″N, 81° 51′ 12″W), San Andrés and Providencia Archipelago, Colombian Caribbean, 4.vii.1994, slope edge, 17 m. USNM 54908 (70% ETOH) Caribbean Sea , Jamaica, Morant Cays (17° 23′ 36″N, 076° 02′ 12″W) (7006, Sta. no. 1195), 9–27 m, 3.vii.1970, Pillsbury R / V, University Of Miami .

EUNICEA FLEXUOSA LAMOUROUX, 1821

( FIGS 2A, J , 8D )

Plexaura flexuosa Lamouroux, 1821: 135 ( Cuba) -

holotype: Mus. Hist. Nat. Paris, Paris. Plexaura flexuosa: Bayer, 1961: 104 . Eunicea flexuosa ( Lamouroux, 1821) : Grajales et al.,

2007: 1.

Description: Colonies with a variety of forms such as bushy, candelabrum, and sometimes dense stands of short branches. Terminal branches show a dichotomous pattern of branching ( Fig. 8D ). The polyp aperture is also polymorphic, it may be just a little prominence of the lower lip or a well-developed calyx also with the lower lip prominent. It is also possible to observe a cline between the two forms of calyx but the different morphs may occur in the same habitat. Polyp armature, without collar, consisting of ornate rods between 0.05 and 0.3 mm in length. The axial layer contains capstans and spindles sclerites with diverse arrangements as well as ornamentations; they have purple coloration, and 0.01–0.26 mm in length. The surface layer contains club sclerites with foliated and fused lobules in the head, which may be slightly serrated; the clubs are up to 0.22 mm in length ( Fig. 7J ).

Particular features: Middle layer sclerites are robust spindles up to 4.5 mm ( Fig. 7A ).

Distribution and habitat: Widespread in the Tropical Western Atlantic. All kinds of reef or rocky environments with hard grounds and some water movement (moderate to rough) between 0.5 and 30 m in depth.

Examined material: ICN-MHN-CO-076 (U-58), isla Narsa , Capurganá , Gulf of Urabá , Caribbean coast of Colombia, col. J.A. Sánchez, 2.x.1995, slope edge 12 m. ICN-MHN-CO-087 (F-19) Isla Fuerte, bajo ‘el bobito’, Caribbean coast of Colombia, col. J.A. Sánchez, 3.x.1995, marginal terrace 10 m. ICN-MHN- CO-089 (Pfl-R Tayrona National Park, Arrecifes, ‘ La Piscinita’, Santa Marta, Colombian Caribbean, col. J.A. Sánchez, rock barrier 1 m. ICN-MHN-CO-092 (AR-1), Tayrona National Park, Arrecifes, ‘ La Piscinita’, Santa Marta, Colombian Caribbean, col. J.A. Sánchez, rock barrier 1 m. USNM 97680 (12) , Tesoro island , Rosario islands , Caribbean coast of Colombia, col. J.A. Sánchez & A. Ramirez, 16.ix.1992; fore-reef terrace, dead stands of Acropora palmata 7 m; INV- CNID-382, (AR-3), Tayrona National Park , Arrecifes, ‘ La Piscinita’, Santa Marta, Colombian Caribbean, col. J.A. Sánchez, rock barrier 1 m. USNM 51811 , North Atlantic Ocean ; Bermuda, Somerset Island, 5–6 m prof. col. Tucker T ., 1.ix.1960. USNM 14380 , North Atlantic Ocean , Bahamas, New Providence , Island, Nassau, East end of Island, col. Nye W. Jr., 1886, Albatross R / V .

Figures

Figure 2. Scanning electron micrograph images of sclerites of Eunicea spp. and Plexaura spp. A–D, sclerites (ornamented spindles) from the middle layer: A, Eunicea flexuosa (Lamouroux, 1821) (scale bar = 0.2 mm); B, Eunicea laciniata Duchassaing & Michelotti (scale bar = 100 Mm); C, Plexaura kuna Lasker et al. (scale bar = 0.1 mm); D, Eunicea clavigera (scale bar = 0.2 mm). E–P, club sclerites from the coenenchyme surface: E, P. kuna (scale bar = 0.1 mm); F, stereopair, Eunicea laxispica (Lamarck) (scale bar = 0.02 mm); G–H, E. laxispica (scale bar = 0.05 mm); I, Eunicea mammosa Lamouroux (scale bar = 0.02 mm); J, E. flexuosa (scale bar = 0.04 mm); K, E. clavigera Bayer (scale bar = 0.01 mm); L, Eunicea pallida Garcia-Parrado & Alcolado (scale bar = 0.02 mm); M, Eunicea calyculata (Ellis & Solander) (scale bar = 0.02 mm); N, Eunicea tourneforti Milne Edwards & Haime (scale bar = 0.02 mm); O, Eunicea fusca Duchassaing & Michelotti (scale bar = 0.01 mm); P, Eunicea tayrona sp. nov. (scale bar = 0.01 mm). Q–U, axial cortex layer sclerites: Q, stereopair, E. laxispica (scale bar = 0.02 mm); R, E. tourneforti (scale bars = 0.06 mm, respectively); S, E. calyculata (scale bar = 0.05 mm); T, Eunicea pallida (scale bars = 0.02 mm); U, E. clavigera. V–Z, polyp sclerites: V, anthocodial rods, E. tourneforti (scale bar = 0.06 mm); W, E. calyculata (scale bar = 0.06 mm); X, E. clavigera (scale bars = 0.01, 0.05, and 0.02 mm); Y, E. mammosa (scale bar = 0.06 mm); Z, octoradiates from the tentacles (stereopair), E. asperula (scale bar = 0.01 mm).

Figure 7. Scanning electron microscope stereopairs of Eunicera clavigera sclerites (‘slender’ morphotype USNM 100645). A, sclerite, spindle, from the middle layer (scale bar = 0.2 mm); B, detail from A, wart ornamentation (scale bar = 0.02 mm); C, axial layer sclerites (scale bar = 0.02 mm); D, warts from spindles of the middle layer (scale bar = 0.01 mm); E, axial layer sclerites (scale bar = 0.01 mm); F, rod sclerites from the anthocodial crown/armature of the polyps (scale bar = 0.02 mm); G–H, club sclerites (foliate) from the surface layer (scale bar = 0.01 mm).

Figure 8. Photographs of Caribbean candelabrum corals in situ. A, Eunicea calyculata (Ellis & Solander), Serrana Bank, Colombia, 18 m; B, Eunicea knighti Bayer, Bocas del Toro Panama, 15 m; C, Eunicea pallida García-Parrado & Alcolado, Bocas del Toro, Panamá, 15 m; D, Eunicea flexuosa (Lamouroux), Carrie Bow Cay, Belize, 12 m. Polyp details (Bocas del Toro, Panamá): E, Eunicea tourneforti; F, Eunicea laciniata; G, E. calyculata; H, Eunicea clavigera; and I, Eunicea tayrona sp. nov.