Balanophyllia (Balanophyllia) diademata van der Horst, 1927

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

Balanophyllia (Balanophyllia) diademata van der Horst, 1927

Fig. 7O, P

Balanophyllia diademata van der Horst, 1927: 4-5, pl. 2, figs 8, 9. - Cairns and Keller 1993: 220.

Balanophyllia (Balanophyllia) diademata . - Cairns 2001: 16.

Type locality.

Off the north-west of Port Dunford; 165 m ( van der Horst 1927).

Type material.

Unknown.

Material examined.

DEFF_FHolon-INV 1 (1 specimen): Eastern margin, off Sodwana; 120 m. SAMC_A073016 (1 specimen): Eastern margin, 31 km from Richards Bay / 46 km Mlalazi Estuary, 29°00'54.00"S, 32°15'35.99"E; 500 m.

Description.

Corallum ceratoid, straight to slightly curved, and attached by a robust pedicel (PD:GCD = 0.5) that expands into a thin encrusting base. Calice slightly elliptical (GCD:LCD = 1.4-1.5). Largest examined specimen (SAMC_A073016) 12.7 × 8.5 mm in CD, 6 mm in PD, and 24.8 mm in H. Examined specimens lack epitheca. Costae corresponding to septa size (with C3-5 being narrow), porous, densely covered with granules, and separated by narrow and deep intercostal furrows.

Septa hexamerally arranged in five incomplete cycles according to the formula: S1 > S2 > S3 > S5 > S4 (≤ 82 septa). S1-2 most exsert, independent, and reach columella with straight and laciniate axial margins. Higher cycle septa (S3-5) progressively less exsert. S3 dimorphic in size: those in half-systems with S5 ~ ½ size of S2; but ¼ the size of S2 in half-systems without S5. S3 have slightly dentate to laciniate axial margins. S4 also dimorphic in size: ¼ width of S3 in half-systems with S5; but double the width of S3 in half-systems that lack S5. A pair of S4 merges in front of flanked S3 before joining columella as one septum. S4 axial margins slightly more dentate than S3. S5 (when present) has double the width of S4, fusing towards flanked S4 before extending to columella as one septum. S5 bear the most dentate axial margins. All septal faces covered with granules. Septa appear slightly crowded. Fossa of moderate depth, containing a slender, low-profile, and elongated spongy columella.

Distribution.

Regional: Eastern margin of South Africa, off Richards Bay extending towards Sodwana; 120-500 m. Elsewhere: Only known from South Africa.

Remarks.

The examined material complements van der Horst’s (1927) description of Balanophyllia (B.) diademata , particularly in the irregularity of the number of septal cycles per half-system. However, the examined specimens lack epitheca, whilst van der Horst’s (1927) figured specimen show epitheca reaching ≤ 2.0 mm from calicular margin.

Figures

Figure 7. A, D Vaughanella concinna A, B (MN _ SM 134, off Port Edward, 900 m) A calicular view B lateral view C, D (SAMC _ A 072973, locality data unknown, 517 m) C calicular view D lateral view E, F Deltocyathus rotulus (USNM 91550, off Scottburgh, 1360 m) E calicular view F lateral view G, H Atlantia denticulata sp. nov. (SAMC _ A 090157, off Gouritsmond, 170 m) G close-up of corallites H full view I, J Balanophyllia (Balanophyllia) bonaespei (USNM 1423303, off the Agulhas, 32 m) I calicular view J lateral view K, N Balanophyllia (Balanophyllia) capensis K, M (SAM _ H 3048, off Cape Point, depth unknown) calicular view L, N (BMNH _ 1939.7.20.479 - 500, locality data unknown) lateral view O, P Balanophyllia (Balanophyllia) diademata (SAMC _ A 073016, off Richards Bay, 500 m) O calicular view P Lateral view. Scale bars: 10 mm (A-H, K-P); 100 mm (I, J).