Adinisis adkinsi, Lapointe & Watling, 2022

Lapointe, Abby & Watling, Les, 2022, Towards a revision of the bamboo corals (Octocorallia): Part 5, new genera and species of Keratoisididae from the Tasmanian deep sea, Zootaxa 5168 (2), pp. 137-157 : 152-153

Adinisis adkinsi new species

Figure 13

Material Examined. Holotype: St Helens, Tasmanian Seamounts, TMAG K3841 , collected on 31 December 2008, -41.3347, 148.6669, 729-1109 m . Paratypes: TMAG K3840 , Cascade Plateau, Tasmanian Seamounts , collected on 04 January 2009, -43.8278, 150.4327, 1061 m , 4.8° C bottom temp. TMAG K3855 , Cascade Plateau, Tasmanian Seamounts , collected on 04 January 2009, -43.8273, 150.4325, 1089 m , 4.8° C bottom temp. TMAG K1350 , Dory Hill, Tasmanian Seamounts , collected on 29 January 1997, -41.3333, 147.11, 1000 m . TMAG (pending), Tasman 1200, Tasmanian Seamounts , collected on 06 April 2007, -44.2012, 146.1992, 1050 - 1230 m .

Diagnosis. Colony is a slightly curved whip, unbranched or with a single distal branch. Polyps are very tall, with eight long septal sclerites in the form of sharp needles that extend past the base of the tentacles. Sclerites throughout the body are smaller needles and rods, all arranged longitudinally along the polyp. Sclerites in the coenenchyme are scales and small rods.

Description of Holotype. Colony unbranched, with many bends and curves in the axis ( Fig. 13A, B ). A small fraction of the colony, 82 cm in axis length, was collected. Distance between nodes is usually between 40 and 50 mm, although internodes were measured ranging from 10 to 55 mm. Polyps are located on all sides of the axis, with small amount of coenenchyme between polyps. Polyps are tall, approximately 10-15 mm and at least three times as long as wide. Polyps may be columnar or slightly curved ( Fig. 13C ). Eight long septally-arranged sclerites, 2.1 to 2.6 mm, in the form of sharp needles protrude between the tentacles, and may flare outward slightly when tentacles are contracted ( Fig. 13C ). Sclerites throughout the polyp body are needles and rods, approximately 1.4 mm, shorter in length than the intertentacular sclerites and all arranged longitudinally ( Fig. 13D ). Coenenchyme sclerites are small rods and scales irregularly arranged loosely throughout the tissue ( Figure 13E ). Scales were observed ranging in length from 0.14 to 0.20 mm, and rods up to 0.52 mm.

When contracted, tentacles fold slightly inward with tips touching. Sclerites of the tentacles are rods and flat rods ( Fig. 13F ). Flat rods range significantly in size, from 0.06 to 0.21 mm, while larger rods range from 0.25 to 0.41mm. Sclerites of the pharynx are “hedgehogs”, with a heavily textured surface composed of irregular teeth and numerous protuberances ( Fig. 13G ). Pharyngeal sclerites range from 0.04 to 0.06 mm in length, and may be fused.

Variation of Paratypes. The coenenchyme may contain needles, small needles and rods, as well as scales. Needles in the body may be slightly curved or straight, and cover a broad range of sizes.

Etymology. This species is named in honor of Jess Adkins, co-chief scientist of the cruise and for his many contributions to our understanding of palaeoceanographic conditions of deep waters in the Atlantic and Pacific, particularly during the past ice age.

Remarks. Adinisis adkinsi is similar to A. thresheri in that both species have an unbranched, squiggly axis, very tall polyps, intertentacular needles that extend beyond the bases of the tentacles, and numerous scales and small needles in the coenenchyme. However, A. adkinsi contains many rods and needles throughout the polyp body all arranged longitudinally, while A. thresheri contains needles only in the distal portion of the polyp and has numerous scales rather than rods or needles in the basal portion.

Figures

FIGURE 13. Adinisis adkinsi n. sp. holotype K3841, A, all collected and preserved colony pieces, B, in situ view of colony, C, view of individual polyp, and sclerites of, D, polyp body, E, coenenchyme, F, tentacles, G, pharynx.