Eunicea succinea (Pallas, 1766)

Sánchez, Juan Armando, 2009, Systematics of the candelabrum gorgonian corals (Eunicea Lamouroux; Plexauridae; Octocorallia; Cnidaria), Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 157 (2), pp. 237-263 : 244-245

EUNICEA SUCCINEA ( PALLAS, 1766) ( FIG. 1C )

Gorgonia succinea Pallas, 1766: 200 .

Gorgonia plantaginea Lamarck, 1815: 163 .

Eunicea hummelincki Stiasny, 1941: 109 .

Eunicea succinea: Lamouroux, 1816: 437 , Bayer, 1961: 134.

Description: Colonies up to 30 cm in height, branching mainly in one plane; branches long but scarcely branched ( Fig. 1C ). Dry colonies beige to pale ochre. Sclerites from middle layer large and acute; spindles up to 1.5 mm. Axial layer sclerites variable in size and form; acute spindles or short spindles with prominent ornamentation. Polyp rods flattened. Surface sclerites torch-like clubs.

Diagnostic features: The calyx is tubular, very prominent and up to 10 mm, usually longer than the branch diameter.

Distribution and habitat: Bahamas, Antilles, and Central America. Possible in deeper reef slopes of oceanic reefs (14–40 m). Eunicea laxispica is particularly abundant on the leeward reefs and slopes of San Salvador and Abaco, Bahamas, where it was observed sharing habitat with E. mammosa (pers. observ., December, 1998).

Examined material: ICN-MHN-CO-085 (U-62), Isla Narsa , Capurganá , Golfo de Urabá, Colombian Caribbean, col. J.A. Sánchez, 2.x.1995 , leeward terrace 15 m ICN-MHN-CO-093 (N-13), Banco de Serrana , Colombian Caribbean, col. J.A. Sánchez, 15.vi.1995 , lagoonal patch reef, 3.5 m depth. USNM 97687 , (19), isla Tesoro , islas del Rosario, Caribbean coast of Colombia, col. J.A. Sánchez & A. Ramirez, 16.ix.1992 ; fore-reef terrace on the mixed corals zone 17 m. USNM 97686 (18), Isla Tesoro , Islas del Rosario, Caribbean coast of Colombia, col. J.A. Sánchez & A. Ramirez, 16.ix.1992 ; fore-reef terrace on the mixed corals zone 15 m. (platantaginea morphotype). INV- CNID-377 (P-45), isla de Providencia, Colombian Caribbean, 20.x.1994, col. J.A. Sánchez, lagoonal patch reef 10 m. INV-CNID-376 (B-22), Banco Bushnell, continental shelf Colombian Caribbean, 4.x.1995, tableau mixed corals zone 14 m. USNM 51555 , North Atlantic Ocean , Caribbean Sea; Virgin Islands, St. John, Chocolate Hole. 6 m, col. Chess T., 9.i.1960 , donor: Randall J. USNM 51952 , (70% ETOH), North Atlantic Ocean , Caribbean Sea ; Barbuda, Cocoa Point, Smithsonian-Bredin Expedition, 26.iv.1956 . USNM 50266 , ( Eunicea hummelincki Stiasny ) North Atlantic Ocean , Caribbean Sea, Virgin Islands, St. John, 5 m, col. Shoemaker C. R., 10.vii.1915 .

EUNICEA LAXISPICA ( LAMARCK, 1815) ( FIGS 1D , 2F–H, Q )

Gorgonia laxispica Lamarck, 1815: 163 (holotype:

Mus. Hist. Nat. Paris).

Eunicea laxispica: Stiasny, 1951: 52 , Bayer, 1961: 125.

Description: Colonies up to 30 cm in height, branching mainly in one plane; branches long but scarcely branched ( Fig. 1D ). Dry colonies beige to pale ochre. Sclerites from middle layer large and acute; spindles up to 1.5 mm. Axial layer sclerites variable in size and form; acute spindles or short spindles with prominent ornamentation ( Fig. 2Q ). Polyp rods flattened. Surface sclerites torch-like clubs ( Fig. 2F–H ).

Diagnostic features: The calyx is tubular, very prominent and up to 10 mm, usually longer than the branch diameter.

Distribution and habitat: Bahamas, Antilles, and Central America. Possibly in deeper reef slopes of oceanic reefs (14–40 m). Eunicea laxispica is particularly abundant on the leeward reefs and slopes of San Salvador and Abaco, Bahamas, where it was observed sharing habitat with E. mammosa (pers. observ., December, 1998).

Examined material: USNM 57997 . (70% ETOH), North Atlantic Ocean , Caribbean Sea : Lesser Antilles, St Barthelemy (17° 51′ 30″N, 062° 38′ 42″W) 35–37 m; 22.vii.1969, Pillsbury R / V; University of Miami . USNM 51739 , North Atlantic Ocean , Caribbean Sea, Virgin Islands, St. John, col. Schroeder. R.E., xi.1960, donor Randall J . USNM 51557 , North Atlantic Ocean , Caribbean Sea, Virgin Islands, St. John, Cabrithorn Point, 14 m, col. Chess T., 4.i.1960, donor Randall J . USNM 57994 , (70% ETOH) North Atlantic Ocean , Caribbean Sea, Antigua, Antigua Island (17° 15′ 30″N, 62° 02′ 12″W) 22 m, 20.vii.1969, Pillsbury R / V, University of Miami .

EUNICEA MAMMOSA LAMOUROUX, 1816

( FIGS 1E , 2I, Y )

Eunicea mammosa Lamouroux, 1816: 438 (holotype: Mus. Hist. Nat. Paris).

Eunicea mammosa: Bayer, 1961: 132 .

Description: Colonies either forming a distinguishable candelabrum (with thicker branches and medium calyx) or a bush (having both medium and large calyx; Fig. 1E ). Coloration varies from beige, dark yellow to ochre, and occasionally purple. Middle layer sclerites ornamented spindles up to 2 mm length and 0.38 mm width (five to eight times longer than wider). Axial layer sclerites sharp spindles (0.16–0.4 mm length and 0.04–0.08 mm width), deep purple colour. Tentacular armature with rods up to 0.17 mm in length ( Fig. 2Y ). Surface layer with dense torch-like club sclerites up to 0.22 mm in length ( Fig. 2I ).

Diagnostic features: Tubular polyp aperture with stout edges and ‘mammiform’ appearance.

Distribution and habitat: Widespread in the Tropical Western Atlantic. Eunicea mammosa is found in exposed or semi-exposed reefs between 1 and 30 m in depth.

Examined material. ICN-MHN-CO-084 (P-19), Pearstick Bar, isla de Providencia (13° 28′ 18.6″ N, 81° 21′ 57″ W), Colombian Caribbean, col. J.A. Sánchez, de 21.x.1994, shallow patch reef 1.8 m. ICN- MHN-CO-077 (P-21), Pearstick Bar, isla de Providencia, Colombian Caribbean, col. J.A. Sánchez, 21.x.1994, inner shallow patch reef 2 m. ICN-MHN- CO-096 (E-178), Cayos de Bolivar (Courtown Cays), (12° 24′ 11″N, 81° 28′ 19″W), Colombian Caribbean, col. J.A. Sánchez, 26.vi.1994, lagoonal patch reef 4 m. USNM 97685 , (17), isla Tesoro, islas del Rosario , Colombian Caribbean , col. J.A.Sánchez & A.Ramirez, 16.ix.1992; fore-reef terrace on the mixed corals zone 15 m. - INV-CNID-374 (AR-5), Parque Tayrona , arrecifes ‘la piscinita’, Colombian Caribbean , viii.1995, col. J.A: Sánchez , rock barrier 1.5 m. INV-CNID-373 (R-43), Banco de Roncador , Colombian Caribbean , 28.v.1995, col. J.A. Sánchez, shallow lagoonal patch reef 2 m. INV-CNID-375 (R-24), Banco de Roncador , Colombian Caribbean , 27.v.1995, fore-reef terrace 18 m. USNM 51903 , North Atlantic Ocean , Caribbean Sea , Mexico; Quintana Roo, Mujeres Island , Channel Side of Inlet , 1–2 m prof. col, Bousfield , 30.iii.1960, Smithsonian-Bredin. USNM 59061 , (70% ETOH), North Atlantic Ocean , Bahamas, Abaco Islands , Great Abaco Island , Barrier Reef , col. Lightly R.J., v.1979, donor: Lightly R.J. USNM 34521 , North Atlantic Ocean , Gulf Of Mexico, Cuba, Jutias Cays , reef flat between Jutia and Little Cays, col. Bartsch & Henderson, 12.v.1914, Tomas Barrera Expedition .

Figures

Figure 1. Photographs of Caribbean candelabrum corals in situ. A, Eunicea pinta Bayer & Deichmann Roncador Bank Colombia, 25 m; B, Eunicea palmeri Bayer, Roncador Bank, Colombia, 12 m; C, Eunicea succinea (Pallas) Bocas del Toro, Panama, 12 m; D, Eunicea laxispica (Lamarck), fore-reef terrace, 20 m, Abaco, Bahamas (2000); E, Eunicea mammosa Lamouroux, Roncador Bank, Colombia, 12 m; F, Eunicea tourneforti Milne Edwards & Haime, Carrie Bow Cay, Belize, 8 m; G, Eunicea asperula Milne-Edwards & Haime, outer slope edge, Cat island, Bahamas (2001); H, Eunicea laciniata Duchassaing & Michelotti, shallow fore-reef, 10 m, Carrie Bow Cay, Belize (2001); I, Eunicea fusca Duchassaing & Michelotti, White Horse Reef, fore-reef, 20 m, Exuma Cays, Bahamas (2000).

Figure 2. Scanning electron micrograph images of sclerites of Eunicea spp. and Plexaura spp. A–D, sclerites (ornamented spindles) from the middle layer: A, Eunicea flexuosa (Lamouroux, 1821) (scale bar = 0.2 mm); B, Eunicea laciniata Duchassaing & Michelotti (scale bar = 100 Mm); C, Plexaura kuna Lasker et al. (scale bar = 0.1 mm); D, Eunicea clavigera (scale bar = 0.2 mm). E–P, club sclerites from the coenenchyme surface: E, P. kuna (scale bar = 0.1 mm); F, stereopair, Eunicea laxispica (Lamarck) (scale bar = 0.02 mm); G–H, E. laxispica (scale bar = 0.05 mm); I, Eunicea mammosa Lamouroux (scale bar = 0.02 mm); J, E. flexuosa (scale bar = 0.04 mm); K, E. clavigera Bayer (scale bar = 0.01 mm); L, Eunicea pallida Garcia-Parrado & Alcolado (scale bar = 0.02 mm); M, Eunicea calyculata (Ellis & Solander) (scale bar = 0.02 mm); N, Eunicea tourneforti Milne Edwards & Haime (scale bar = 0.02 mm); O, Eunicea fusca Duchassaing & Michelotti (scale bar = 0.01 mm); P, Eunicea tayrona sp. nov. (scale bar = 0.01 mm). Q–U, axial cortex layer sclerites: Q, stereopair, E. laxispica (scale bar = 0.02 mm); R, E. tourneforti (scale bars = 0.06 mm, respectively); S, E. calyculata (scale bar = 0.05 mm); T, Eunicea pallida (scale bars = 0.02 mm); U, E. clavigera. V–Z, polyp sclerites: V, anthocodial rods, E. tourneforti (scale bar = 0.06 mm); W, E. calyculata (scale bar = 0.06 mm); X, E. clavigera (scale bars = 0.01, 0.05, and 0.02 mm); Y, E. mammosa (scale bar = 0.06 mm); Z, octoradiates from the tentacles (stereopair), E. asperula (scale bar = 0.01 mm).