Balanophyllia (Balanophyllia) bonaespei van der Horst, 1938

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

Balanophyllia (Balanophyllia) bonaespei van der Horst, 1938

Fig. 7I, J

Balanophyllia bonaespei van der Horst, 1938: 142-145, pl. 5, figs 2-5.

Type locality.

Oudekraal, Cape Peninsula, South Africa, depth unknown (van der Horst 1938).

Type material.

Unknown.

Material examined.

USNM 1423303 (neotype: 1 specimen): Southern margin, 11 km off Agulhas/ 9 km off De Mond-Heuningnes Estuary, 34°47'12.12"S, 20°08'35.87"E; 32 m.

Description.

Corallum trochoid and fixed to substrate by a thin encrusting base. Calice circular to elliptical (GCD:LCD = 1.2). Only specimen examined (USNM 1423303) 9.0 × 7.8 mm in CD and 9.3 mm in H. Epitheca thin from middle corallum to encrusting base. Epitheca bear transverse ridges. Costae conspicuous near calicular margin, being equal in width, granular, and porous. Intercostal striae deep and as porous as costae. Corallum white.

Septa hexamerally arranged in a prominent Pourtalès plan, with five cycles, the last cycle being incomplete, according to the formula: S1> S2 ≥ S4> S3 = S5 (≤ 55 septa). S1-2 independent and not reaching columella. S1 most exsert, and have straight to dentate axial margins. S2 slightly less exsert, and 1/3 smaller than S1, also with straight to dentate axial margins. S3-4 progressively less exsert. S31/3 the width of S2, and displaying the most dentate axial margins. S4 dimorphic in size: in half-systems without S5, S4 are as wide as S2. Whilst in half-systems with S5, S4 neighbouring S1 as wide as S3 and S4 neighbouring S2 as wide to slightly less wide than S2. Furthermore, half-systems without S5, S4 fuse before S2 and extend to columella as one septum, but in complete half-systems, S5 joins in front of S2 and extend to columella as one septum. S5, if present, similar in size as S3. Fossa of moderate depth, containing a slender and elongate spongy columella aligned with GCD.

Distribution.

Regional: Western (van der Horst 1938) and Southern margin of South Africa, extending from off Oudekraal (van der Horst 1938) towards the Agulhas; 32 m. Elsewhere: Only known from South Africa.

Remarks.

Only one specimen of Balanophyllia (B.) bonaespei has been collected subsequent to its original description. Since the type is untraceable, we therefore assign this examined specimen as a neotype here. The examined specimen agrees with van der Horst’s (1938) description and illustration in that S5 (when present in half-system) are arranged in a Pourtalès plan, fusing with S3 in front of S4, and then merging with each other before meandering towards S2. This new record further extends the distribution of B. bonaespei to the Southern margin of South Africa. Balanophyllia bonaespei closely resembles B. capensis , and distinguishing features are outlined in the remarks section of that species.

Figures

Figure 7. A, D Vaughanella concinna A, B (MN _ SM 134, off Port Edward, 900 m) A calicular view B lateral view C, D (SAMC _ A 072973, locality data unknown, 517 m) C calicular view D lateral view E, F Deltocyathus rotulus (USNM 91550, off Scottburgh, 1360 m) E calicular view F lateral view G, H Atlantia denticulata sp. nov. (SAMC _ A 090157, off Gouritsmond, 170 m) G close-up of corallites H full view I, J Balanophyllia (Balanophyllia) bonaespei (USNM 1423303, off the Agulhas, 32 m) I calicular view J lateral view K, N Balanophyllia (Balanophyllia) capensis K, M (SAM _ H 3048, off Cape Point, depth unknown) calicular view L, N (BMNH _ 1939.7.20.479 - 500, locality data unknown) lateral view O, P Balanophyllia (Balanophyllia) diademata (SAMC _ A 073016, off Richards Bay, 500 m) O calicular view P Lateral view. Scale bars: 10 mm (A-H, K-P); 100 mm (I, J).