Symplegma brakenhielmi (Michaelsen, 1904)

Fig. 10A

Diandrocarpa brakenhielmi Michaelsen, 1904

Symplema viride: Van Name 1945

Symplegma brakenhielmi: Monniot C. 1983 and synonymy; Monniot C. & F. 1997; Monniot F. 2016b; Rocha & Costa 2005. Stations: AM 34; AR 136 (MNHN S1 SYM 92)

The thin encrusting colonies are grey with a transparent tunic. The anatomy is that described by Van Name (1945), Monniot C. (1983), Monniot C. & F. (1997). The branchial structure is characteristic; there are 4 longitudinal vessels on each side but 2 vessels on the left side do not reach the base of the branchial sac but join the dorsal lamina (Fig. 10A). There are usually 9–11 rows of stigmata, sometimes 9 as in Fig. 10A. The testis vesicles are lobed and this peculiarity represents the main difference with S. viride living the same habitat. The distinction between both species is not clear in the literature. A discussion concerning the Caribbean Symplegma species was given by Monniot C. (1983) and also by Monniot C. & F. (1997) with a new record of S. brakenhielmi from the Arabian Gulf. The general geographic distribution according to several authors’ citations cannot be ascertained.