Hexapathes alis, Molodtsova, 2006

Molodtsova, Tina N., 2006, New species of Hexapathes Kinoshita, 1910 (Anthozoa, Antipatharia, Cladopathidae) from the South-West Pacific, Zoosystema 28 (3), pp. 597-606 : 602-603

Hexapathes alis n. sp.

( Figs 2C, D ; 4 )

TYPE MATERIAL. — Holotype: Fiji Islands, RV Alis, BORDAU 1, CP 1412 , 16°05.52’S, 179°28.05’W, 400-407 m ( MNHN, alcohol-preserved specimen).

ETYMOLOGY. — The specific name “alis” is after RV Alis of the IRD centre in Nouméa, New Caledonia.

DISTRIBUTION. — The species is known only from the type locality.

DIAGNOSIS. — Corallum ( Fig. 2C ) monopodial and pinnulate. Primary pinnules in two lateral rows and in one or more irregular anterior rows. Lateral pinnules simple, elongated, arranged alternately except for the most basal ones that are subopposite; inclined distally with curved distal part. Anterior pinnules ( Fig. 2D ) simple or with one or two secondary pinnules, of varying length, always shorter than lateral pinnules, inclined distally, more densely set than lateral ones. Spines on pinnules ( Fig. 4 ) small, triangular to conical in lateral view, smooth, 0.03-0.09 mm tall, mostly 0.04-0.07 mm, arranged in irregular axial rows, five to seven of which are visible in side view. Polyps estimated to be 2.5-6 mm

in transverse diameter.

New Hexapathinae from the South-West Pacific

DESCRIPTION OF THE HOLOTYPE

Figures

FIG. 2. — A, B, Hexapathes hivaensis n. sp., holotype; A, arrangement of pinnules; B, polyps; C, D, Hexapathes alis n. sp., holotype;

FIG. 4. — Hexapathes alis n. sp., holotype, spines of pinnules: A, C, lateral; B, anterior. Scale bars: 0.1 mm.