Javania antarctica (Gravier, 1914)

Filander, Zoleka N., Kitahara, Marcelo V., Cairns, Stephen D., Sink, Kerry J. & Lombard, Amanda T., 2021, Azooxanthellate Scleractinia (Cnidaria, Anthozoa) from South Africa, ZooKeys 1066, pp. 1-198 : 1

Javania antarctica (Gravier, 1914)

Fig. 11O, P

Desmophyllum antarcticum Gravier, 1914: 236-238. -Cairns 1914b: 122-125, pl. 1, figs 1-3 (in part).

Javania antarctica . - Cairns 1982: 48, 50, pl. 15, figs 1-4. - Cairns et al. 1999: 31. - Cairns 2004b: 8. - Cairns 2009: 20. - Cairns and Polonio 2013: 79, figs 4G, H, J, 18. - Kitahara and Cairns 2021: 204-205, figs 102E-G, 103.

Type locality.

Off Anvers Island, Antarctica (RV ‘Pourquoi-Pas’ (?) stn. 8: 64°50'00"S, 63°30'00"W); 53 m ( Cairns 1982).

Type material.

The syntype is deposited at the MNHNP ( Cairns 1982).

Material examined.

SAMC_A090150 (3 specimens): Southern margin, 116 km from Gouritsmond/km off Goukamma Estuary, 35°07'11.27"S, 23°02'41.75"E; 333 m.

Description.

Corallum trochoid to ceratoid, straight to slightly curved, and attached through a slender but reinforced pedicel, which expands into an encrusting base. Calice elliptical (GCD:LCD = 1.4), with a thin and serrated calicular margin, which is usually broken. Largest specimen examined 27.9 × 19.4 mm in CD, and 46.2 mm in H. Theca thin, glistening, and porcelaneous. Faint costae correspond to all septa, and extend from calicular margin to base. Transversely arranged, chevron-shaped growth lines more distinctive at major septa. Corallum white.

Septa hexamerally arranged in five cycles according to the formula: S1-2> S3> S4> S5 (96 septa). Septa of all examined specimens damaged at calicular margin, therefore unable to observe exsertness. S1-2 almost joining opposite septa with straight to slightly sinuous, thickened axial margins. S3 slightly less wide and less sinuous than S1-2. S4 ~ ¼ smaller than S3, with similarly or slightly more sinuous axial margin. S5 rudimentary, but bearing the most sinuous axial margin. Septal faces finely granulated with pointed spines. Fossa deep.

Distribution.

Regional: Southern margin of South Africa, Gouritsmond; 333m. Elsewhere: Antarctica ( Cairns 1982); Argentina ( Cairns and Polonio 2013); New Caledonia ( Kitahara and Cairns 2021) 53-1626 m.

Remarks.

Among all congeners, Javania antarctica most closely resembles J. lamprotichum (Moseley, 1880) but differs in corallum pigmentation, shape, and height. Javania antarctica is also similar to J. insignis in having five cycles of septa, but can be distinguished by its delicate theca, thin calicular margin, and less exsert septa. Specimens examined herein represent a new record for South Africa.

Figures

Figure 11. A Tubastraea sp. cf. Tubastraea diaphana (SAM _ H 5103, Cape Vidal, 59 m) A lateral view B Tubastraea micranthus (ORI _ EIb 3, locality data unknown) B full view C, D Flabellum (Flabellum) leptoconus (ORI _ DIIa 1, Port St. Johns, 409 - 440 m) C calicular view D lateral view E, H Flabellum (Flabellum) pavoninum E, F (SAMC _ A 073135, off Coffee Bay, 250 - 280 m) E calicular view F lateral view G, H (SAM _ H 4582, off Shaka's Rock, 150 m) G calicular view H lateral view I, J Flabellum (Flabellum) politum (SAMC _ A 090160, off Shaka's Rock, 53 - 57 m) I calicular view J lateral view K, L Flabellum (Ulocyathus) alabastrum (SAMC _ A 090102, off the Agulhas, 168 m) K calicular view L lateral view M, N Flabellum (Ulocyathus) lowekeyesi (SAM _ H 1695, off Kosi Bay Estuary, 720 - 780 m) M calicular view N lateral view O, P Javania antarctica (SAMC _ A 090150, off Gouritsmond, 333 m) O calicular view P lateral view. Scale bars: 10 mm.