Truncatoflabellum sp.

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 sp.

Fig. 13E, F

Material examined.

SAMC_A073161 (1 specimen): Eastern margin, 25 km from Port St. Johns/ 16 km off Cwili Estuary, 31°49'59.99"S, 29°40'00.00"E; 140-145 m.

Description.

Corallum small, with thecal edges diverging at 30°. Calice flared and elliptical (GCD:LCD = 1.7), with a slightly serrated calicular margin. Specimen examined 12.7 × 7.6 mm in CD, 1.3 mm in PD, and 14.2 mm in H. Theca smooth. Thecal faces diverge in an angle of ~ 60°, and thecal edge of ~ 23°. Specimen has anthocyathus still attached to anthocaulus, but a fracture line indicates that they were about to transversely divide. Corallum white.

Septa thick and hexamerally arranged in four cycles, the last being incomplete, according to the formula: S1-3 > S4 (45 septa). S1-3 axial edges straight, but become slightly sinuous deeper in fossa. S4 rudimentary and bearing sinuous axial margin. Septal faces smooth, occasionally with sparsely arranged granules. Fossa of moderate depth, with a rudimentary columella formed by the fusion of the S1-3 lower axial margins.

Distribution.

Regional: Eastern margin of South Africa, off Port St. Johns; 140-145 m.

Remarks.

The examined specimen is unique in its calice being flared, lateral margin diverging at an angle of 23°, and having distinctly thick septa. More specimens are needed to confirm the possibility of it being an undescribed species.

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).