1,720,965 research outputs found
The black coral fauna (Cnidaria: Antipatharia) of Bermuda with new records
Full text linkWagner, Daniel, Shuler, Andrew (2017): The black coral fauna (Cnidaria: Antipatharia) of Bermuda with new records. Zootaxa 4344 (2): 367-379, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4344.2.1
Aphanipathidae Opresko 2004
No full textFamily Aphanipathidae Opresko, 2004 The family Aphanipathidae is characterized by polyps with six primary and four secondary mesenteries, that are 0.5–1.3 mm in transverse diameter, and have tentacles that are all nearly of the same length when fully expanded (Bo, 2008; France et al., 2007; Opresko & Sanchez, 2005; Opresko, 2004). Furthermore, the skeletal spines of the Aphanipathidae often penetrate through the soft tissues of polyps, have distinct tubercles, and are not usually bifurcated towards their apex (Bo, 2008; France et al., 2007; Opresko & Sanchez, 2005; Opresko, 2004). The family Aphanipathidae has not been previously reported from Bermuda (Locke et al., 2013), and is therefore documented here from Bermuda for the first time.Published as part of Wagner, Daniel & Shuler, Andrew, 2017, The black coral fauna (Cnidaria: Antipatharia) of Bermuda with new records, pp. 367-379 in Zootaxa 4344 (2) on page 373, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4344.2.11, http://zenodo.org/record/104298
Tanacetipathes Opresko 2001
No full textGenus Tanacetipathes Opresko, 2001 The genus Tanacetipathes is characterized by colonies that are monopodial or branched, with the stem and branches being pinnulate like a bottle brush, to the 3rd–4th order (Opresko, 2001). The primary pinnules are arranged in 4–6 regular rows and in alternating biserial groups of 2–3 pinnules. Secondary pinnules are mostly restricted to the lateral sides of primary pinnules, and are usually developed more extensively on the abpolypar sides of the primary pinnules. At least one uniserial tertiary pinnule is found on the abpolypar side of the lowermost secondary pinnules, and quartenary pinnules may be present in some species within this genus (Opresko, 2001).Published as part of Wagner, Daniel & Shuler, Andrew, 2017, The black coral fauna (Cnidaria: Antipatharia) of Bermuda with new records, pp. 367-379 in Zootaxa 4344 (2) on page 375, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4344.2.11, http://zenodo.org/record/104298
Stichopathes Brook 1889
No full textGenus Stichopathes Brook, 1889 The genus Stichopathes is characterized by colonies that are unbranched, and polyps that are arranged in a single row on one side of the corallum (Brook, 1889). However, the validity of polyp arrangement as the main diagnostic character distinguishing amongst Stichopathes and the two other antipatharian genera with unbranched colonies (Cirrhipathes and Pseudocirrhipathes) has been questioned by numerous authors (Bo & Opresko, 2015; Bo et al., 2012; Bo, 2008; Brugler & France, 2007; Pasternak, 1977; Pax, 1918; van Pesch, 1914). Two Stichopathe s species have previously been reported from Bermuda (S. lutkeni and S. cf. spiessi; Locke et al. 2013). This study adds S. pourtalesi and an undescribed Stichopathe s species to the known antipatharian fauna from Bermuda (Table 1).Published as part of Wagner, Daniel & Shuler, Andrew, 2017, The black coral fauna (Cnidaria: Antipatharia) of Bermuda with new records, pp. 367-379 in Zootaxa 4344 (2) on page 371, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4344.2.11, http://zenodo.org/record/104298
Antipathes furcata Gray 1857
No full textAntipathes furcata Gray, 1857 Antipathes furcata forms fan-shaped colonies that are typically less than 50 cm in height, with long branches that grow in narrow branch angles (Figure 2a–b). The terminal branches typically reach lengths of 5 cm or more without becoming branched. Skeletal spines are smooth, triangular or slightly inclined distally, and occasionally include some that are bifurcated towards their apex (Figure 2d). The spines are generally 30–70 µm in height and typically 50–70 µm in width at their base. On smaller branches, the spines are arranged in axial rows with adjoining rows offset in a spiral pattern around the corallum (Figure 2d). Spine spacing is fairly regular within each row, and typically ranges between 240–280 µm. The polyps are arranged on only one side of the branches, are generally 0.6– 1.0 mm in transverse diameter, and are spaced 1.1–1.3 mm apart (Figure 2c). The coloration of living colonies ranges between grayish brown to white. A. furcata has previously been reported from the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico and North Atlantic at depths ranging between 15–340 m (Brito & Ocaña, 2004; Cairns et al., 1993; Opresko, 2009; Opresko et al., 2016; Opresko & Sanchez, 2005). Bermudan specimens examined as part of this study were collected at depths between 96–104 m (Table 1).Published as part of Wagner, Daniel & Shuler, Andrew, 2017, The black coral fauna (Cnidaria: Antipatharia) of Bermuda with new records, pp. 367-379 in Zootaxa 4344 (2) on page 370, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4344.2.11, http://zenodo.org/record/104298
Myriopathidae Opresko 2001
No full textFamily Myriopathidae Opresko, 2001 The family Myriopathidae is characterized by polyps with six primary and four secondary mesenteries that are 0.5– 1.0 mm in transverse diameter, and possess short tentacles with rounded tips. The skeletal spines of the Myriopathidae are usually needle-shaped on smaller branches, and frequently forked or antler-like on larger branches (Bo, 2008; France et al., 2007; Opresko & Sanchez, 2005; Opresko, 2001;) Two genera, Cupressopathe s and Tanacetipathes, have previously been reported from Bermuda (Locke et al., 2013). However, Cupressopathe s was incorrectly reported from Bermuda due to an incorrect synonymization between Antipathes gracilis, which occurs throughout the Western Atlantic (Opresko, 2009; Opresko & Sanchez, 2005; Warner, 2005; Padilla & Lara, 2003; Cairns et al., 1993; Warner, 1981), and Cupressopathes gracilis, which is only known from the Indo-Pacific (Opresko, 2001). Tanacetipathes is the only genus within the family Myriopathidae that is currently known from Bermuda, and was documented as part of this study as well (Table 1).Published as part of Wagner, Daniel & Shuler, Andrew, 2017, The black coral fauna (Cnidaria: Antipatharia) of Bermuda with new records, pp. 367-379 in Zootaxa 4344 (2) on page 375, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4344.2.11, http://zenodo.org/record/104298
Stichopathes Brook 1889
No full textStichopathes sp. Stichopathes sp. forms unbranched colonies that are up to 1 m in height or more and coiled distally (Figure 4a). The skeletal spines are subcylindrical and covered with distinct tubercles towards their distal third (Figure 4d–e). Polypar spines are generally 190–300 µm in height, whereas abpolypar spines are only 150–240 µm in height (Figure 4d–e). Skeletal spines are arranged in axial rows with adjoining rows offset in a spiral pattern around the corallum (Figure 4d). Spine spacing is fairly even within each row, and typically ranges between 400–575 µm (Figure 4d). The polyps are up 1.0– 1.5 mm in transverse diameter, and spaced 1.0– 1.7 mm apart (Figure 4c). The coloration of living colonies was unfortunately not documented as part of this study. As noted earlier, the morphology of the spines of this species resembles a syntype of S. pourtalesi (MCZ 90362), which was collected at 232 m off Cuba, and recently reassigned to an undescribed species within the genus Stichopathes (Bo & Opresko, 2015). This reassignment was a result of the realization that the type series of S. pourtalesi contains multiple species (Bo & Opresko, 2015). Future studies will need to be undertaken in order to define the diagnostic characters of Stichopathes sp., as well as to document its biogeographical distribution. Stichopathes sp. specimens examined as part of this study were collected from Bermudan waters at depths ranging between 279–304 m (Table 1).Published as part of Wagner, Daniel & Shuler, Andrew, 2017, The black coral fauna (Cnidaria: Antipatharia) of Bermuda with new records, pp. 367-379 in Zootaxa 4344 (2) on page 372, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4344.2.11, http://zenodo.org/record/104298
Antipathes atlantica Gray 1857
No full textAntipathes atlantica Gray, 1857 Antipathes atlantica forms large colonies that are 0.5 m in height or more, and are densely branched with most branches located in a single plane like a fan (Figure 1a–c). Adjacent branches are sometimes fused together to form a net-like pattern. The terminal branches are straight or slightly curved, and typically shorter than 1 cm without becoming branched. The skeletal spines are smooth, triangular or slightly inclined distally, and are about the same width at their base as they are tall (Figure 1d–e). The spines are never bifurcated and are 40–100 µm in height. On smaller branches, the spines are arranged in axial rows with adjoining rows offset in a spiral pattern around the corallum (Figure 1d). Spine spacing is fairly even within each row, and ranges between 175–300 µm. The polyps are arranged on only one side of the corallum, are generally 0.5–1.1 mm in transverse diameter, and are spaced 1.1– 1.7 mm apart (Figure 1c). All colonies observed as part of this study were grayish white in situ (Figure 1a), however, greenish colonies have also reported for this species in other locations (Opresko et al., 2016; Opresko & Sanchez, 2005; Warner, 1981). A. atlantica has previously been reported from the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico and Northwest Atlantic at depths ranging between 15–100 m (Cairns, Opresko et al., 1993; Opresko, 2009; Opresko et al., 2016; Opresko & Sanchez, 2005; Padilla & Lara, 2003; Sanchez, 1999; Sanchez et al., 1998; Warner, 1981, 2005). Specimens examined as part of this study were collected at depths between 55–152 m (Table 1), thereby extending the known depth range of this species.Published as part of Wagner, Daniel & Shuler, Andrew, 2017, The black coral fauna (Cnidaria: Antipatharia) of Bermuda with new records, pp. 367-379 in Zootaxa 4344 (2) on page 369, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4344.2.11, http://zenodo.org/record/104298
Tanacetipathes tanacetum
No full textTanacetipathes tanacetum (Pourtalès, 1880) Tanacetipathes tanacetum colonies consist of a single, bottle-brushed stalk (Figure 7a–b). The stem and branches form 4–6 rows of primary pinnules, which are arranged biserially and in alternating groups along the length of the axis. The posterior primary pinnules are generally 1.0– 2.5 cm in length. The primary pinnules give rise to 2–3 orders of subpinnules, and the secondary pinnules are all mostly arranged uniserially on the abpolypar side of primaries. Tertiary pinnules occur uniserially on abpolypar sides of secondary pinnules, and quaternary pinnules are sometimes present. The skeletal spines are inclined distally and conical to subcylindrical in shape (Figure 7d– e). Spines are smooth or faintly papillose (Figure 7d–e). Polypar spines are 190–240 µm in height, whereas abpolypar spines are 120–180 µm in height (Figure 7d). The polyps are arranged on a single side of the axis, are typically 0.6–0.9 mm in transverse diameter, and are spaced 0.6–0.8 mm apart (Figure 7c). The color of living colonies ranges between brown to light orange (Figure 7a). Bermudan specimens resemble the lectotype of T. tanacetum (see Perez et al., 2005) in terms of both colony branching pattern and skeletal spine morphology. However, the skeletal spines of Bermudan specimens are substantially larger (range=120–240 µm) than those of the lectotype of T. tanacetum (range=100–130 µm; Perez et al., 2005). Specimens from other locations, including Brazil, the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico, with skeletal spines that are up to 300 µm in height have also been assigned to this species (Opresko et al., 2016; Perez et al., 2005; Opresko & Sanchez, 2005; Loiola & Castro, 2005). Consistent with this, we here also assign the Bermudan species to T. tanacetum, despite of it having larger skeletal spines than the T. tanacetum lectoype. Future studies should be undertaken, particularly those that include molecular data, in order to determine whether the two forms with different skeletal spine sizes represent different species or intraspecific variability (Perez et al., 2005). T. tanacetum has previously been reported from Brazil to the Northwest Atlantic at depths ranging between 20–1293 m (Opresko et al. 2016; Opresko, 2009; Perez et al., 2005; Loiola & Castro, 2005; Padilla & Lara, 2003; Cairns et al., 1993; Opresko, 1972). The Bermudan specimens examined as part of this study were collected at depths between 55–96 m (Table 1).Published as part of Wagner, Daniel & Shuler, Andrew, 2017, The black coral fauna (Cnidaria: Antipatharia) of Bermuda with new records, pp. 367-379 in Zootaxa 4344 (2) on page 376, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4344.2.11, http://zenodo.org/record/104298
- …
