An illustrated key to the species of the genus Narella (Cnidaria, Octocorallia, Primnoidae)

By

Cairns, Stephen D.
Taylor, Michelle L.

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2019

Original Publication

ZooKeys

Volume

822

Pages

1-15

Subjects

Alcyonacea , Calcaxonia , Dichotomous key , Primnoidae , tabular key

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

Sofia, Bulgaria Pensoft Publishers

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.822.29922

 

Abstract

A history of the description of the 50 valid species ofNarellais given, beginning with the first species described in 1860. To help differentiate the various species, a tabular and a polychotomous key are provided. The species in the keys are arranged using nine characters or character sets that are believed to be of value at the species level. New characters or new significance given to previously described characters used in our keys include: 1) the nature of the dorsolateral edge of the basal scale, being ridged or not, 2) the thickness of the body wall scales, and 3) the arrangement of the coenenchymal scales (imbricate or mosaic), their thickness (thin or massive), and their outer surface ornamentation (ridged or not). All characters used in the keys are illustrated.