Ofwegenum kloogi, McFadden & Benayahu & Samimi-Namin, 2024

McFadden, Catherine S., Benayahu, Yehuda & Samimi-Namin, Kaveh, 2024, A new genus of soft coral (Octocorallia, Malacalcyonacea, Cladiellidae) and three new species from Indo-Pacific coral reefs, ZooKeys 1188, pp. 275-304 : 275

publication ID	https://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1188.110617
publication LSID	lsid:zoobank.org:pub:528120A6-2EC0-4796-B37B-5E51FD1FE7AA
persistent identifier	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/F1E4D927-3C21-494B-9B53-B4EA88B49817
taxon LSID	lsid:zoobank.org:act:F1E4D927-3C21-494B-9B53-B4EA88B49817
treatment provided by	ZooKeys by Pensoft
scientific name	Ofwegenum kloogi
status	sp. nov.

Treatment

Ofwegenum kloogi sp. nov.

Figs 1 View Figure 1 , 3D, E View Figure 3 , 10E View Figure 10 , 12 View Figure 12 , 13 View Figure 13

Material examined.

Holotype. La Réunion • Saint-Paul , Cap la Houssaye; 21.0174°S, 55.2376°E; 17 m depth; 8 April 2008; SMNHTAU_Co_34426. GoogleMaps

Paratype. La Réunion • 13 colonies/fragments; same data as holotype; SMNHTAU_ Co _38229 GoogleMaps .

Description.

The holotype is an encrusting colony, measuring 28 by 25 mm, attached to a calcareous fragment by a thin spreading base (<1 mm thick). The polypary features several narrow grooves (Fig. 3D View Figure 3 ). The polyps appear as low mounds. The distal tips of the tentacles occasionally protrude from the top of the polyp mounds.

The coenenchyme sclerites are spindles and rods up to 0.50 mm long, with low, simple tubercles or areas of thickening forming concentric, raised rings (Fig. 12A View Figure 12 ). The polyp body contains shorter spindles, up to 0.30 mm long (Fig. 12A View Figure 12 ), which appear to be arranged 'en chevron’ when the polyp is extended. The length of the sclerites decreases along the polyp body towards the base of the tentacles (Fig. 12A View Figure 12 ).

The tentacles and the pinnules contain numerous platelets and flattened rods (i.e., finger-biscuits) up to 0.07 mm long (Fig. 12B View Figure 12 ), arranged on the aboral side of the tentacles. Some of these sclerites have lateral median constrictions, side notches, or depressions at one or both ends (Fig. 12B View Figure 12 ).

Colour.

In life the expanded tentacles are pale grey with an underlying bluish tint. The polyps have a blue mouth opening and blue line along the tentacles (Fig. 10E View Figure 10 ). The ethanol-preserved holotype is pale grey in colour.

Morphological variations.

Paratype SMNHTAU_Co_38229 has slightly longer tentacle sclerites and shorter coenenchymal sclerites compared to the holotype (Fig. 13 View Figure 13 ).

Remarks.

This species features a distinct encrusting growth form and surface grooves on its polypary, most probably indicating a process of colony fission (Fig. 3D, E View Figure 3 ). Its tentacle sclerites are mainly ellipsoidal platelets and flattened rods with shallow to no median constrictions (Figs 12B View Figure 12 , 13B View Figure 13 ). The colonies grow in dense patches on the reef (Fig. 10E View Figure 10 ).

Distribution.

La Réunion.

Etymology.

The species is named after the late Prof. Yoel Kloog, biochemist, former Dean of the Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, in honour of his friendship and lifetime contributions to science.