Eunicea pallida

Sánchez, Juan Armando, 2009, Systematics of the candelabrum gorgonian corals (Eunicea Lamouroux; Plexauridae; Octocorallia; Cnidaria), Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 157 (2), pp. 237-263 : 253-254

publication ID

https://doi.org/ 10.1111/j.1096-3642.2008.00515.x

persistent identifier

https://treatment.plazi.org/id/03F28783-087C-0920-E81F-85D30556FAE4

treatment provided by

Felipe

scientific name

Eunicea pallida
status

 

EUNICEA PALLIDA View in CoL GARCÍA- PARRADO & ALCOLADO,

1997 ( FIGS 2T View Figure 2 , 8C View Figure 8 )

Eunicea pallida García-Parrado & Alcolado, 1997: 46 View in CoL (holotype: Instituto de Oceanología , Cuba).

Description: Colonies up to 0.5 m in height, long ascendant branches of 3–7 mm diameter ( Fig. 8C View Figure 8 ). Dry specimens white. Polyps retracted in ample apertures, minute conic walls. Aperture oval in shape and toward the branch tips a smooth border. Middle layer sclerites transparent spindles 0.7–1.5 mm, usually less than 1 mm length. Anthocodial crown reduced, flat rod sclerites, no collar, smallest in Euniceopsis . Surface sclerites torch clubs (0.09–0.17 mm), sharp tips coming off the head.

Diagnostic features: The axial layer contains purple spindles (0.13–0.22 mm) with spines and usually with a few projecting spines ( Fig. 2T View Figure 2 ).

Distribution and habitat: Until now there are just records from Cuba (type species), Jamaica, Tobago, and the Colombian Caribbean, probably widespread in the Caribbean province. Fore-reef terraces moderate to highly exposed to wave movement at intermediate depths (12–20 m).

Examined material: ICN-MHN-CO-074 (E-110), Albuquerque Cays (12° 11′ 44″N, 81° 52′ 10″W), Colombian Caribbean, col. J.A. Sánchez, 3.vi.1994, leeward terrace 16 m. USNM 97693 About USNM (25), Tesoro island , Rosario islands , Caribbean coast of Colombia, col. J.A.Sánchez & A.Ramirez, 10.xii.1992; Reef slope, 25 m. INV-CNID-384 (E-111). Albuquerque Cays, (12° 08′ 14″N, 81° 51′ 12″W), San Andrés and Providencia Archipelago, Colombian Caribbean, 4.vii.1994, slope edge, 17 m. USNM 54908 About USNM (70% ETOH) Caribbean Sea , Jamaica, Morant Cays (17° 23′ 36″N, 076° 02′ 12″W) (7006, Sta. no. 1195), 9–27 m, 3.vii.1970, Pillsbury R / V, University Of Miami GoogleMaps .

EUNICEA FLEXUOSA LAMOUROUX, 1821

( FIGS 2A, J View Figure 2 , 8D View Figure 8 )

Plexaura flexuosa Lamouroux, 1821: 135 ( Cuba) View in CoL -

holotype: Mus. Hist. Nat. Paris, Paris. Plexaura flexuosa: Bayer, 1961: 104 View in CoL . Eunicea flexuosa ( Lamouroux, 1821) View in CoL : Grajales et al.,

2007: 1.

Description: Colonies with a variety of forms such as bushy, candelabrum, and sometimes dense stands of short branches. Terminal branches show a dichotomous pattern of branching ( Fig. 8D View Figure 8 ). The polyp aperture is also polymorphic, it may be just a little prominence of the lower lip or a well-developed calyx also with the lower lip prominent. It is also possible to observe a cline between the two forms of calyx but the different morphs may occur in the same habitat. Polyp armature, without collar, consisting of ornate rods between 0.05 and 0.3 mm in length. The axial layer contains capstans and spindles sclerites with diverse arrangements as well as ornamentations; they have purple coloration, and 0.01–0.26 mm in length. The surface layer contains club sclerites with foliated and fused lobules in the head, which may be slightly serrated; the clubs are up to 0.22 mm in length ( Fig. 7J View Figure 7 ).

Particular features: Middle layer sclerites are robust spindles up to 4.5 mm ( Fig. 7A View Figure 7 ).

Distribution and habitat: Widespread in the Tropical Western Atlantic. All kinds of reef or rocky environments with hard grounds and some water movement (moderate to rough) between 0.5 and 30 m in depth.

Examined material: ICN-MHN-CO-076 (U-58), isla Narsa , Capurganá , Gulf of Urabá , Caribbean coast of Colombia, col. J.A. Sánchez, 2.x.1995, slope edge 12 m. ICN-MHN-CO-087 (F-19) Isla Fuerte, bajo ‘el bobito’, Caribbean coast of Colombia, col. J.A. Sánchez, 3.x.1995, marginal terrace 10 m. ICN-MHN- CO-089 (Pfl-R Tayrona National Park, Arrecifes, ‘ La Piscinita’, Santa Marta, Colombian Caribbean, col. J.A. Sánchez, rock barrier 1 m. ICN-MHN-CO-092 (AR-1), Tayrona National Park, Arrecifes, ‘ La Piscinita’, Santa Marta, Colombian Caribbean, col. J.A. Sánchez, rock barrier 1 m. USNM 97680 About USNM (12) , Tesoro island , Rosario islands , Caribbean coast of Colombia, col. J.A. Sánchez & A. Ramirez, 16.ix.1992; fore-reef terrace, dead stands of Acropora palmata 7 m; INV- CNID-382, (AR-3), Tayrona National Park , Arrecifes, ‘ La Piscinita’, Santa Marta, Colombian Caribbean, col. J.A. Sánchez, rock barrier 1 m. USNM 51811 About USNM , North Atlantic Ocean ; Bermuda, Somerset Island, 5–6 m prof. col. Tucker T ., 1.ix.1960. USNM 14380 About USNM , North Atlantic Ocean , Bahamas, New Providence , Island, Nassau, East end of Island, col. Nye W. Jr., 1886, Albatross R / V .

R

Departamento de Geologia, Universidad de Chile

V

Royal British Columbia Museum - Herbarium

T

Tavera, Department of Geology and Geophysics

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Cnidaria

Class

Anthozoa

Order

Alcyonacea

Family

Plexauridae

Genus

Eunicea

Loc

Eunicea pallida

Sánchez, Juan Armando 2009
2009
Loc

Eunicea pallida García-Parrado & Alcolado, 1997: 46

Garcia-Parrado P & Alcolado P 1997: 46
1997
Loc

Plexaura flexuosa

Lamouroux JVF 1821: 135
1821
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