Chrysopathes Opresko 2003

Loiola, Laia, 2008, Two New Species of Chrysopathes (Cnidaria: Anthozoa: Antipatharia) from the Western Atlantic, Zootaxa 1707, pp. 49-59 : 51

Chrysopathes Opresko 2003

Diagnosis. Primary pinnules arranged in six rows and also in alternating biserial groups of three pinnules each. In each group of three, lateral pinnule more distal than anterior or posterior pinnule. Subpinnules confined to anterior primary pinnules or present on lateral and posterior primaries as well. Subpinnules arranged irregularly, alternately, or in subopposite pairs. Secondary pinnules usually shorter than primary pinnules.

Type species. Chrysopathes formosa Opresko 2003 .

Remarks. Although the younger parts of colonies may have only four rows of primary pinnules, the typical condition in this genus is six rows. The primary pinnules in the anterior-most rows (corresponding to the side of the corallum on which the polyps occur) are usually those showing the greatest subpinnulation, although in some species subpinnules also occur on the other primaries.

Species assigned to Chrysopathes . Five species: C. formosa Opresko 2003 , C. speciosa Opresko 2003 , C. gracilis Opresko 2005 , C. oligocrada new species and C. micracantha new species.

Distribution. Three species of this genus are known from the Pacific ( C. formosa , C. speciosa , and C. gracilis ), and two from the western Atlantic ( C. oligocrada and C. micracantha ).