Trimuricea omanensis, Samimi-Namin, Kaveh & Van Ofwegen, Leen P., 2016

Samimi-Namin, Kaveh & Van Ofwegen, Leen P., 2016, A revision of Trimuricea Gordon, 1926 (Cnidaria: Octocorallia: Plexauridae) with the description of six new species, Zootaxa 4105 (1), pp. 1-44 : 23-29

publication ID	https://doi.org/ 10.11646/zootaxa.4105.1.1
publication LSID	lsid:zoobank.org:pub:621E2759-DDBF-4ADC-A1EC-3CA8F581C336
DOI	https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6077943
persistent identifier	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/038E8793-9906-D973-D4C0-9DA584C735D9
treatment provided by	Plazi
scientific name	Trimuricea omanensis
status	sp. nov.

Treatment

Trimuricea omanensis View in CoL n. sp.

( Figs. 13 View FIGURE 13 c, 19–20, 32a)

Material: Holotype, RMNH Coel. 41599, Oman, Strait of Hormuz, Musandam, no palm beach (OM11 A7 S6), 26.37336° N 56.535694° E, 10–25 m depth, coll. K. Samimi-Namin, 9 May 2011.

Description. The holotype is a piece of colony, about 35 cm high and 14 cm wide, that is branched in one plane and has many anastomoses forming a network ( Fig. 13 View FIGURE 13 c). The calyces are dome shaped, closely set to each other and situated all around the branches. They are low, only 1–2 mm in height and have a diameter of up to 1 mm.

The points have triradiates ( Fig. 19 View FIGURE 19 a), along with curved, hockeystick or boot-shaped sclerites, or spindles ( Fig. 19 View FIGURE 19 b), 0.15–0.25 mm long. The upper ray of the triradiates and upper part of the spindles is echinulate or smooth for up to 0.12 mm, and slightly blunt. The collaret spindles are 0.20–0.35 mm long ( Fig. 19 View FIGURE 19 c); the middle part of the convex side is more tuberculated than the concave side and both the ends. The concave side is relatively smooth in the center with more tuberculation at both ends. These polyp sclerites have few tubercles. A few tentacle scales are present, up to 0.08 mm long ( Fig. 19 View FIGURE 19 d).

The calyces have thornscales, 0.10–0.25 mm long, with a warty base, and one or more echinulate or smooth thorns up to 0.10 mm long ( Figs. 19 View FIGURE 19 e, 20a).

The coenenchyme has simple spindles, 0.10–0.30 mm long, with simple and complex tubercles ( Fig. 20 View FIGURE 20 b). Additionally, spindles with one smooth, thorn-like end are also present ( Fig. 20 View FIGURE 20 c). Also a few sclerites are present that superficially resemble unilateral spinose spindles.

Colour. The live colony was yellow with magenta extended polyps ( Fig. 32 View FIGURE 32 a). Preserved colony is brown. All sclerites are colourless.

Etymology. The species is named after the country Oman where the holotype was found.

Remarks. The species mostly resembles Trimuricea inermis , both species having small coenenchymal spindles and calicular thornscales. But it differs in having some sclerites resembling unilateral spinous spindles, some spindles with one thorny end and branch anastomoses forming a net-like colony shape.