Tanyostea wolverini, Lapointe & Watling, 2022

Lapointe, Abby & Watling, Les, 2022, Towards a revision of the bamboo corals (Octocorallia): Part 5, new genera and species of Keratoisididae from the Tasmanian deep sea, Zootaxa 5168 (2), pp. 137-157 : 153-155

Tanyostea wolverini new species

Figure 14

Material Examined. Holotype: Mongrel / South Hills, Tasmanian Seamounts, TMAG K3852 , collected on 21 December 2008, -44.2437, 147.1222, 1180 m, 3.65° C bottom temp.

Diagnosis. With the characters of the genus.

Description of holotype. Colony unbranched with several bends in the axis ( Fig. 14A, B ). The axis is smooth, approximately 6 mm in diameter at the base and 2 mm distally, in the younger portions of the colony, and covered in a thick coenenchyme. The axis contains a hollow core that comprises a large percentage of the axis diameter in the younger portion of the colony but very little in the oldest section. Nodes are 3-4 mm, separated by 4-13 cm long internodes. Polyps are located on all sides of the axis, with moderate amounts of coenenchyme between the polyps. Polyps are tall and columnar, approximately 5 to 7 mm in length and 3 mm in width ( Fig. 14C ).

The polyp body consists of two sections, which may be separated by a conspicuous bend in the body ( Fig. 14C ). Septal sclerites consist of long individually protruding needles that extend beyond the tentacle bases, and may flare outward slightly when the tentacles are contracted. Abaxial septal sclerites form a distinct V-shape protecting the tentacles ( Figure 14C ), adaxial septal sclerites are much shorter and extend only slightly beyond the tentacle bases. Sclerites at the base of the polyp body are arranged longitudinally and obliquely, and occasionally horizontally. Needles are typically slightly curved and range in length from 0.9 mm to 4.0 mm ( Fig. 14E ). The coenenchyme is mainly devoid of sclerites, although occasional rods of various sizes may be found. Rods have a heavily textured surface, and were measured ranging from 0.1 to 0.29 mm in length ( Fig. 14D ). Scales are not present.

When contracted, the tentacles fold slightly inward with the tips touching. Sclerites of the tentacles are rods and flat rods, with longitudinal grooves ( Fig. 14F ). Larger rods ranging from 0.2 to 0.4 mm in length are arranged longitudinally along the aboral side of the tentacle, while smaller flat rods approximately 0.1 mm in length are in the pinnules. Rods and flat rods may be curved, and several flat rods were found with a slight S-shaped curvature.

Sclerites of the pharynx have a very distinctive appearance, one end often long and narrow, rounded, and abruptly widening in the mid-section, with a heavily textured surface composed of irregular teeth and numerous protuberances ( Fig. 14G ). Pharyngeal sclerites range from 0.072 to 0.137 mm in length.

Etymology. The species is named in honor of Wolverine, a Marvel Comics superhero. The long, sharp sclerites protruding between the tentacles bases on the abaxial side of the polyp superficially resemble Wolverine’s bladed claws.

Remarks. The form of the polyp is unusual in that it is reminiscent of the adaxial curved polyps found in some members of the Mopseidae .

Figures

FIGURE 14. Tanyostea wolverini n. sp. holotype K3852, A, all collected and preserved colony pieces, B, in situ view of colony, C, view of individual polyps, and sclerites of, D, coenenchyme, E, polyp body, F, tentacles, G, pharynx.