Truncatoflabellum gardineri Cairns in Cairns & Keller, 1993

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

Truncatoflabellum gardineri Cairns in Cairns & Keller, 1993

Fig. 12M, N

Truncatoflabellum gardineri Cairns in Cairns & Keller, 1993: 266, pl.11, figs B-D. -Cairns 1994: 78-79. Pl. 34, figs A, B. - Cairns 2016: 37, fig. 10D.

Type locality.

Off Durban area, South Africa (RV 'Anton Bruun’ stn. 390S: 29°35'00"S, 31°42'00"E); 138 m ( Cairns and Keller 1993).

Type material.

The holotype and most paratypes are deposited at NMNH, whilst 3 paratypes are at the SAM ( Cairns and Keller 1993; Cairns 1994).

Material examined.

SAM_H3847 (1 specimen): Eastern margin, 46 km from Shaka’s Rock / 42 km off Mdlotane Estuary, 29°34'59.99"S, 31°42'00.00"E; 138 m. SAM_H4577 (3 specimens: paratypes): 26 km from Port St. Johns /off Bulolo Estuary, 29°34'47.99"S, 31°41'59.99"E; 138 m. USNM 91736 (1 specimen: holotype): Eastern margin, 26 km from Port St. Johns /off Bulolo Estuary, 29°34'47.99"S, 31°41'59.99"E; 138 m.

Description.

Corallum (anthocyathus) small, elongated, and with a smooth calicular margin. New specimen examined (SAM_H3847) has a slightly damaged calicular margin: 7.1 × 6.9 mm in CD (estimated), and 16.6 mm in H. Basal scar 3.6 × 2.5 mm in diameter, with 12 complete septa originating from scar. Theca with longitudinal striae, and transverse chevron-shaped growth lines. Thecal faces carinate and diverging in an angle between 14 and 18°. Corallum white, with beige theca.

Septa hexamerally arranged in four complete cycles according to the formula: S1 ≥ S2 > S3 > S4 (48 septa). However, newly examined specimen has fourth cycle incomplete (total of 42 septa). S1 as wide to only slightly wider than S2, both having vertical and slightly sinuous axial margin that extend to columella. S3 ½ width of S2, and bearing moderately sinuous axial margin. S4 ~ 1/3 the width of S3, usually rudimentary, and having dentate axial margin. Septal faces bear blunt granules obliquely aligned in rows along septal margin. Fossa moderately deep with a rudimentary columella formed by the fusion of lower S1-2 axial margins.

Distribution.

Regional: Eastern margin of South Africa, off Shaka’s Rock; 138 m. Elsewhere: Japan; (Cairns 1994); 100-144 m.

Remarks.

The original author of Truncatoflabellum gardineri provided a detailed description of the species and, therefore, the description above is mainly based on the single new South African specimen (SAM_H3847). Although this specimen is slightly damaged around the calicular margin, characteristic features are observable, providing information on ontogenetic variability. Unlike the type specimens, the newly examined specimen has slightly larger S1 as compare with having equal-sized S1-2. Furthermore, the newly examined specimen has the fourth cycle incomplete rather than four or five complete ones ( Cairns 2016). Apart from these observations, the specimen fits the known characteristics of the species.

Figures

Figure 12. A, B Javania insignis (SAMC _ A 090116, off Port Dunford, 85 m) A calicular view B lateral view C, D Placotrochides scaphula (USNM 91772, off Scottburgh, 1360 m) C calicular view D calicular view E, H Rhizotrochus typus E, F (SAMC _ A 090094, off Coffee Bay, 160 m) E calicular view F lateral view G, H (SCD 39 B, off Coffee Bay, 160 m) G calicular view H lateral view I, J Truncatoflabellum formosum (SAM _ H 1389, off Shaka's Rock, 183 m) I calicular view J lateral view K, L Truncatoflabellum gardineri (SAM _ H 3847, off Shaka's Rock, 138 m) K calicular view L lateral view M, N Truncatoflabellum inconstans (SAM _ H 1241, off Kei Mouth, 66 m) M calicular view N lateral view O, P Truncatoflabellum multispinosum (SAMC _ A 087450, locality data unknown) O calicular view P lateral view. Scale bars: 10 mm.