Fungiacyathus (Bathyactis) hydra Zibrowius & Gili, 1990

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

Fungiacyathus (Bathyactis) hydra Zibrowius & Gili, 1990

Fig. 13G, H

Fungiacyathus hydra Zibrowius & Gili, 1990: 22-25, pl. 1, figs A-N.

Type locality.

Off Walvis Ridge (Benguela VI Expedition stn. BB12: 25°34'00"S, 06°07'00"E); 882-886 m (Zibrowius and Gill 1990).

Type material.

The holotype and paratypes are deposited at the NMNH ( Zibrowius and Gili 1990).

Material examined.

USNM 86869 (3 paratypes): Western margin, off Alexandra Bay; 882 m.

Description.

(based on Zibrowius and Gill 1990) Corallum small (GCD ~ 9.0-12.0 mm), fragile, discoidal, with a slightly concave, convex, or flat base. Calice circular and ~ 5.0 mm in H. Base bear distinct, granular to serrate, costa. C1-2 prominent near calicular margin, becoming less so towards centre of base. C3 and C4 unequal and less developed than C1 and C2. Intercostal spaces fairly deep and smooth. Corallum white.

Septa hexamerally arranged in four cycles according to the formula: S1 > S2 > S3-4 (48 septa). S1 independent but joining adjacent S4 by extended synapticular bars. S2 ¼ smaller than S1, whilst S3-4 are equal in width. S2-4 solidly fused, thus forming distinct delta junctions. Septal faces smooth, with no dentations. Columella absent or may be present as narrow tabular spines

Distribution.

Regional: Western margin of South Africa, off Kerbehuk; 882 m (Zibrowius and Gill 1990). Elsewhere: Walvis Ridge; 882-886 m (Zibrowius and Gill 1990).

Remarks.

The regional occurrence of Fungiacyathus (Bathyactis) hydra is based on Zibrowius and Gili (1990), and no additional specimens have since been reported. Fungiacyathus (B.) hydra resembles F. symmetricus ( Pourtalès, 1871) in having a small-sized corallum, but can be distinguished by its less sinuous septa and poorly developed columella ( Zibrowius and Gili 1990).

Figures

Figure 13. A, B Truncatoflabellum pusillum (SAM _ H 2839, off Cape Padrone, 37 m) A calicular view B lateral view C, D Truncatoflabellum zuluense (SAMC _ A 090096, off Cape Vidal, 85 m) C calicular view D lateral view E, F Truncatoflabellum sp (SAMC _ A 073161, off Port St. Johns, 140 - 145 m) E calicular view F lateral view G, H Fungiacyathus (Bathyactis) hydra (USNM 86869, off Alexandra Bay, 882 m) G calicular view H basal view I, L Fungiacyathus (Bathyactis) sibogae (SAM _ H 1697, off Mgobezeleni Estuary, 1050 m) I calicular view J basal view K calicular view L basal view M, N Fungiacyathus (Fungiacyathus) sp. (SAM _ H 1431, off Durban, 99 m) M calicular view N basal view O, P Guynia annulata (USNM 77201, off Port St. Johns, 138 m) O calicular view P lateral view. Scale bars: 10 mm (A-N); 2 mm (O, P).