Melithaea tokaraensis, 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 : 36-37

Taxon classification Animalia Alcyonacea Melithaeidae

Melithaea tokaraensis sp. n. Figures 87c, 92, 93, 98

Material examined.

Holotype RMNH Coel. 41941 (AKM 1212), 28°54.90'N, 129°04.09'E, off Yokoate-jima, Tokara Islands, East China Sea, 395 m, R/V Tansei-maru, KT07-21, St. DY0205, Chain Bag Dredge, coll. Dr. H. Yokose, 30 August 2007.

Description.

Colony branched in one plane, broken up while collecting (Fig. 87c). The largest fragment being 12 cm long. The larger nodes are swollen and clearly visible. The polyps are situated on one side of the colony. The calyces are dome-shaped, about 0.5 mm high and 1 mm wide. Points with slightly bent spindles up to 0.25 mm long, distal end more tuberculate (Fig. 92a). Collaret with bent spindles up to 0.35 mm long, middle part with more developed tubercles (Fig. 92b). Tentacles with platelets, the larger ones crescent-shaped with irregular projections (Fig. 92c). These platelets are up to 0.15 mm long. Pharynx with straight spiny rods, up to 0.05 mm long (Fig. 92d). Coenenchyme with predominantly capstans, double disks (Fig. 93b) and disk spindles (Fig. 93c), 0.05-0.15 mm long, and small clubs (Fig. 92f), up to 0.10 mm long. Spindles are also present, 0.10-0.30 mm long, mostly with simple tubercles (Fig. 93d). The calyces with additional clubs, up to 0.25 mm long (Fig. 93a). The axis has smooth and sparsely tuberculate rods (Fig. 92e).

Color.

Colony red, all sclerites orange.

Distribution.

Only known from off the Tokara Islands. (Fig. 98).

Etymology. The species is named after the type locality, the Tokara Islands.

Remarks.

The species resembles Melithaea abyssicola sp. n., Melithaea oyeni sp. n., and Melithaea satsumaensis sp. n., but differs in having rather smooth polyp sclerites and long calyx clubs.