Leptophyton benayahui Ofwegen & Schleyer, 1997

Mcfadden, Catherine S. & Van Ofwegen, Leen P., 2017, Revisionary systematics of the endemic soft coral fauna (Octocorallia: Alcyonacea: Alcyoniina) of the Agulhas Bioregion, South Africa, Zootaxa 4363 (4), pp. 451-488 : 472-473

Leptophyton benayahui Ofwegen & Schleyer, 1997

Figs. 5c , 12

Material examined. RMNH Coel. 40209 (SAF333), South Africa, Kwazulu-Natal, Aliwal Shoal, NE Pinnacles. 30º15.599'S, 30º49.724'E, depth 12–16 m, coll. C.S. McFadden, 19 March 2008 . RMNH Coel. 40210 (SAF290), SAF288, SAF289, South Africa, Kwazulu-Natal, Park Rynie, Lander's Reef , 30º19.973'S, 30º47.523'E, depth 22– 28 m, coll. C.S. McFadden, 18 March 2008 .

In their original description of L. benayahui, Ofwegen & Schleyer (1997) state that the sclerites of the holotype have an eroded appearance, as though the specimen had been stored in formalin. In the newly collected material we have examined this is not the case, and additional details of the distribution and ornamentation of the sclerites can be discerned. Consequently, we update and revise the description of the sclerites of this species.

The description of the holotype states that the polyps lack sclerites, but in the material examined here we find small rods, 0.04–0.08 mm long, at the bases of the tentacles ( Fig. 12a ). The proximal region of the polyps and the colony surface have spindles, 0.08–0.13 mm long, with fairly sparse, high, simple tubercles ( Fig. 12b ). In the proximal region of the polyp these are arranged in eight longitudinal tracts, but do not form a collaret or points. The surface of the colony base has similar spindles, 0.08–0.13 mm long, with longer, simple tubercles and spinose projections ( Fig. 12c ). The general shapes and sizes of these sclerites are similar to those depicted for the holotype (Ofwegen and Schleyer 1997: Figs. 3 , 4 ), but the details of the tubercular and spinose ornamentation can be seen more clearly in our material. The interior of the colony lacks sclerites.

Spherical gametes, 0.35–0.6 mm in diameter, can be seen within the stalk of RMNH Coel. 40210.

Figures

FIGURE 3. a, b: Lampophyton spinatum n. sp., holotype, RMNH Coel. 40198 (SAF164); b, close-up of polyparium surface and margin of stalk; c-e: Lampophyton spinatum n. sp., SAF125; d, lateral view of polyparium surface; e, top view of polyparium;f, g:Lampophyton planiceps RMNH Coel.40200 (SAF237),lateral view of polyparium and margin of stalk; g,top view of partially retracted polyparium.s = sclerites protruding through colony surface.

FIGURE 5. a, Lampophyton spinatum n. sp. paratype, RMNH Coel. 40199 (SAF195), colony photographed in situ; b, Alcyonium dolium n. sp. holotype, RMNH Coel.40204 (SAF292); c, Leptophyton benayahui SAF289 photographed in situ; d, Leptophyton fustis n. sp., holotype, RMNH Coel. 40211 (SAF087), colony photographed in situ (T. fallax n. comb. purple morph visible in lower right corner); e, Circularius wilsoni n. comb. RMNH Coel. 40207 (SAF448), colonies growing on mussel shell photographed in situ; f, Tenerodus pollex n. gen., n. sp. holotype, RMNH Coel. 40219 (SAF420), colonies photographed in situ; g, Tenerodus fallax, n. comb. RMNH Coel. 40217 (SAF383), pink color morph; h, Tenerodus fallax, n. comb. SAF015, purple and yellow color morphs.

FIGURE 12. Leptophyton benayahui, RMNH Coel.40209 (SAF333). a, tentaclesclerites; b, sclerites from proximal region of polyps and colony surface; c, sclerites from base of colony.

FIGURE4. Lampophyton spinatum n. sp., holotype,RMNH Coel.40198 (SAF164).a, scleritesfrom upperregion ofstalk and polyparium; b, tuberculate spindles and needles from base of stalk; c, smooth spindles from base of stalk; d, details of tubercular ornamentation:top and middle, spindles of upper surface of stalk; bottom, spindles of base of stalk.