Eunicea knighti, BAYER, 1961

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

publication ID

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

DOI

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.5492305

persistent identifier

https://treatment.plazi.org/id/03F28783-087C-0921-E84C-816C05DBF935

treatment provided by

Felipe

scientific name

Eunicea knighti
status

 

EUNICEA KNIGHTI BAYER, 1961 View in CoL ( FIG. 8B View Figure 8 )

Eunicea knighti Bayer, 1961: 150 View in CoL (holotype: USNM 50430).

Description: Elastic and slimy colonies up to 0.5 m in height, surface usually smooth without prominent calyxes ( Fig. 8B View Figure 8 ). Colonies exhibit dichotomous but sparse branching. Branch tips thick and stout. Dry coloration is grey to pale ochre. Sclerites from middle layer ornate and up to 1 mm in length. Anthocodial sclerites include diverse forms and are ornate. Surface layer composed of many torch club sclerites exhibiting congruent rows of ornamentations at the handle.

Diagnostic features: The axial layer presents pale purple sclerites generally short (<0.17 mm) with two or three very notable ornamentations at each side. In its natural environment, this species resembles the slimy forms of Pseudoplexaura spp. but it can be distinguished by noting the black tentacles of the expanded polyp. It is abundant toward deep reef areas (<20 m).

Distribution: Widespread in the Caribbean province.

Examined material: USNM 50430 About USNM , Holotype, (70% ETOH), Florida, Biscayne Bay, Soldier Key , col. Bayer F.M., 19.iv.1948 . USNM 50692 About USNM , Paratype, Gulf of Mexico, USA, Florida, Franklin County, Between John’s Pass & Pass a Grille, col: Hemphill H., i.1884 , donor: Hemphill, H. USNM 50759 About USNM , Gulf Of Mexico , USA, Florida, Florida Keys, Dry Tortugas, 1925 . USNM 44235 About USNM , (70% ETOH), Gulf Of Mexico, USA, Florida, East Bay, 8 miles north-east of Buoy , (29° 50′N, 84° 32′W), 13 m, 26.x.1948 GoogleMaps .

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Cnidaria

Class

Anthozoa

Order

Alcyonacea

Family

Plexauridae

Genus

Eunicea

Loc

Eunicea knighti

Sánchez, Juan Armando 2009
2009
Loc

Eunicea knighti

Bayer FM 1961: 150
1961
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