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

By

Breedy, Odalisca
Ofwegen, L. P. van (Leendert P.), 1953-
McFadden, Catherine
Murillo-Cruz, Catalina

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2021

Original Publication

ZooKeys

Volume

1032

Pages

63--77

Subjects

Biodiversity , Cocos Island , new species , oceanic island , soft corals , taxonomy

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

Sofia, Bulgaria Pensoft Publishers

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1032.63431

 

Abstract

Rhodolitica occultagen. nov. et sp. nov. (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.