Aliena, Breedy & McFadden & Cortés, 2023

Breedy, Odalisca, McFadden, Catherine S. & Cortes, Jorge, 2023, An enigmatic new octocoral species (Anthozoa, Octocorallia, Malacalcyonacea) from Isla del Coco National Park, ZooKeys 1169, pp. 317-331 : 317

Genus Aliena gen. nov.

Diagnosis.

Colonies are encrusting mats of irregular shape, consisting of clusters of 3-25 polyps that may be interconnected by thin coenenchymal extensions forming bridge-like bands between them. Colonies lack an axis. Polyps are retractile into calyces that are covered by a dense layer of small sclerites producing a granular appearance. Coenenchyme is thin without differential sclerite layers. Coenenchymal sclerites are mostly red asymmetrical spindles with simple tubercles and irregular ends. Anthocodial sclerites are mostly red flat rods, with serrated or prickly borders and sparse thorns on the surface, and spine-like rods. They are arranged " en chevron ", forming points but not a collaret. Flat rods form longitudinal rows along the polyp body. Tentacular sclerites are mostly yellow, biscuit-like rods. Colonies are dark red in life and maintain that colour in ethanol.

Type species.

Aliena parva sp. nov. by original designation.

Etymology.

Alienus (L) foreign, strange, not related. The generic name refers to the unexpected appearance or unnoticed presence of a new shallow-water taxon. It also alludes to its surprising phylogenetic relationship to a group of gorgonian octocorals, a relationship not predicted by its morphology. Gender feminine.