Rhodolitica on rhodoliths: a new stoloniferan genus (Anthozoa, Octocorallia, Alcyonacea)

(Clavulariidae) is described from Cocos Island National Park, Pacific Ocean, Costa Rica. The species was found at various islets and rocky outcrops around the island, 20-55 m in depth. The genus is characterised by tubular, single, erect anthosteles interconnected by thin basal ribbon-like stolons o...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:ZooKeys 2021-04, Vol.1032 (2), p.63-77
Main Authors: Breedy, Odalisca, van Ofwegen, Leen, McFadden, Catherine S, Murillo-Cruz, Catalina
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Alcyonacea
Anthozoa
Discovery and exploration
Identification and classification
Natural history
Soft corals
Systematics
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:(Clavulariidae) is described from Cocos Island National Park, Pacific Ocean, Costa Rica. The species was found at various islets and rocky outcrops around the island, 20-55 m in depth. The genus is characterised by tubular, single, erect anthosteles interconnected by thin basal ribbon-like stolons on the surfaces of living rhodoliths. The anthosteles are devoid of fused sclerites, which are only present in the stolons. Coenenchymal sclerites are mostly spindles of various shapes, with a characteristic cylindrical warty type in the outer layer, crosses and radiates. Anthocodiae are armed with points, lacking collarets. Colonies and sclerites are red. Using an integrative taxonomic approach, we separate the new genus from similar genera through both morphological comparison and a molecular phylogenetic analysis. This research is a contribution to the knowledge of the octocoral biodiversity in Cocos Island and marine biodiversity in the eastern tropical Pacific.
ISSN:1313-2989
1313-2970
DOI:10.3897/zookeys.1032.63431