Callogorgia kinoshitai ( Kuekenthal , 1913)

Horvath, Elizabeth Anne, 2019, A review of gorgonian coral species (Cnidaria, Octocorallia, Alcyonacea) held in the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History research collection: focus on species from Scleraxonia, Holaxonia, Calcaxonia - Part III: Suborder Holaxonia continued, and suborder Calcaxonia, ZooKeys 860, pp. 183-306 : 237-242

Callogorgia kinoshitai ( Kuekenthal, 1913) Figures 33A, B , 34A, B , 35 A–E

Callogorgia kinoshitae Kükenthal, 1913: 264-266; text figs E, F, pl 8, fig. 10 (= Caligorgia kinoshitae Kükenthal, 1913: 264-266 [spelling difference]); 1919: 370; 1924: 270.

Callogorgia kinoshitae : Bayer 1982: 122. Cairns 2007b: 512 (listed). Cairns and Bayer 2009: 29 (listed).

(?) Caligorgia sertosa Wright & Studer, 1889: 75-77. Nutting 1909: 715.

Type locality.

USA, California, 218-2472 m. Possible collection location for type La Jolla, San Diego, based on work of Kükenthal (1913; 1924).

Type specimens.

Repository of type(s) unknown.

Material examined.

6 lots (see Appendix 3: List of material examined).

Description.

Colony ( Figure 33A ) flabellate, usually branched in regularly alternate, pinnate pattern; some colonies (often main branches) rarely dichotomous; most branches in one plane. Maximum colony height over 30 cm (base excluded); average height of colonies in SBMNH collection ± 15 cm. Central stem slightly bent in geniculate (jointed, zig-zag) pattern, giving off branches at angles or joints; few branches give off branchlets in similar manner. Distance between branches/branchlets on same side of central stem roughly one cm (slightly larger than one cm closer to base and less than one cm toward tips of branchlets). All branchlets unbranched, parallel to each other. Distal ends of branchlets extremely thin, more flexible, with branchlets often recurved back on themselves. Axis stiff, longitudinally striated; creamy yellow to tan, covered with fairly thin coenenchyme. Color of living colony (?)white to creamy-white; perhaps very light pinkish-beige; color in alcohol creamy whitish-beige to light tan. Five or six polyps (rarely four) regularly arranged in each whorl (most common number being five); whorl diameter 2.1-2.2 mm; generally, four to five whorls per centimeter of branch length. Minimal distance between whorls no more than 1.0 mm (often less), but evident. Polyps 2.0 mm tall; slightly clavate, covered in four to eight rows of nearly spindle-shaped (rods) sclerites; polyps strongly curved from base outward, upward and inward toward axis ( Figure 33B ), thus apertures directed toward stem or branch. Sclerites ( Figures 34A, B , 35 A–E ) predominantly scales, flattened (sometimes oblong, fusiform; some appearing as flattened caveman clubs) on stem and branches, with long tooth-like spines, and radiating ribs. Outer sclerite surface may also have many small to medium-sized warts, bumps and granules. Scales im bricating (like roof tiles), fan-shaped on polyp walls. Aperture edge of polyp with ctenate marginal scales, inside of which are bases of eight opercular scales; these form tall, pyramidal opercula, with height ~0.5 mm. Opercular scales (Figures 34Bd, 35D) distinctly differentiated from body scales, not overreached by marginals, not bending inward over them. Individual opercular scales elongate triangles, especially on abaxial side, forming a conspicuous, elongated spine when polyp is fully retracted; these scales bear thickened, longitudinal ridges on their inner surface, ending with truncated points. Opercular scales up to ~0.65 mm long by 0.2 mm wide at broader end; adaxial opercular scales much smaller. Upper layer (ring) of marginal scales ( Figure 35E ) large, with radiating ribs, furrowed at their edge; others (proceeding proximally) show these markings feebly, if at all. Longitudinal rows of scales on polyp body commonly numbering seven (rarely eight), best seen on abaxial and lateral sides (inner lateral scales number four on each side of polyp); only abaxial rows of body scales complete. Adaxial rows reduced or absent; if present, generally two scales placed distally, two proximally, revealing large area of naked adaxial wall; thus, total number of scales within a row varies, but typically eight (with six to nine possible) scales in row; most numerous on exposed, abaxial side. Largest body wall scales, abaxial (Figures 34Ba, b, 35E); abaxial scales near tip of polyp smaller, those of adaxial side up to ~0.1 mm across by 0.1 mm tall. Lateral scales slightly smaller (Figure 34Bc). Coenenchymal sclerites ( Figure 35 A–C ) dense, as elongated, nearly spindle-shaped rods often covered with numerous thorns or prickles.

Etymology.

Named in honor of Kumao Kinoshita of Japan (Cairns 2018).

Distribution.

Callogorgia kinoshitai appears to extend from Monterey Bay to as far south as Chile, based on collection location data found recorded at several institutions (see Appendix 3: List of material examined). Based on specimens housed in SBMNH collection, it would appear that the species does extend further north, into waters off Oregon and Washington (USA).

Biology.

Generally found in deep water (averaging 800-1,000 meters). Intertwined amongst branches may be found moderate to large Ophiuroidea, along with either what appear to be anemones (quite large, very fleshy and wrinkled) and/or possibly a type of acorn barnacle, attached to stems and branches.

Remarks.

Kükenthal (1919, 1924) speculated that the species C. kinoshitae (i) might be a junior synonym of Caligorgia sertosa Wright & Studer, 1889 (note error in spelling of genus name), as described by Nutting (1909). Nutting (1909) indicated five localities for what he called C. sertosa , all in the vicinity of USA, California, San Diego, Point Loma light-house. Nutting also established the type for C. sertosa , that being collected at Station 192, off Kei Island, South Pacific, 255 m, by R/V ‘Challenger’. Perhaps Nutting’s specimens from the San Diego area should be ascribed to this species rather than to C. sertosa . In any event, the two are indeed separate species. Researchers with greater exposure to, and expertise on, this species (SD Cairns) should be consulted regarding legitimacy of C. sertosa as senior synonym. Cordeiro et al. (2019) does not show this synonymy in the WoRMS Database. Earlier descriptions for both C. kinoshitae (i) and C. sertosa found in Kükenthal (1919) clearly indicated the distinct differences used to distinguish between these two species. Based on locations of collection events, with C. sertosa having its type collected from Kei Island in the South Pacific, the two appear to be separate, distinct species.

Figures

Figure 33. Callogorgia kinoshitai, SBMNH 422990. A Colony; height (base missing) ~ 30 cm B SBMNH 422982, branch close-up, illustrating arrangement of polyps in whorls, each polyp curving strongly upward and inward toward branch.

Figure 34. Callogorgia kinoshitai, SBMNH 422982. A Light microscopy array, 4 x magnification, showing variety of large scales (body wall, coenenchymal, opercular, etc.) as well as very small coenenchymal rod-like sclerites B Array of representative scales, 10 x magnification, SBMNH 422982; a abaxial body wall scale, indicated by arrow b possible inner lateral or abaxial from polyp base c outer lateral scale d opercular scale. Opercular scales average 239 µm in length, body wall scales range in breadth from 117 - 217 µm and very small spindles ~ 28 µm in length.

Figure 35. Callogorgia kinoshitai, SBMNH 422982, SEM image. A Small, developing coenenchymal rods B Very flattened, " odd " coenenchymal rods C Coenenchymal rods D Opercular scales E Highly ridged abaxials (polyp tip). Sclerite forms shown here correspond to figures shown in Cairn and Bayer 2002 for species in the genus.