Dendrophyllia sp. 1

Fig. 9A, B

Material examined.

DSCS-INV 29 (1 fragment): Southern margin, 140 km from Agulhas / 144 km off Ratels Estuary, 36°02'29.58"S, 19°41'24.61"E; 445- 463 m. DSCS-INV 30 (1 fragment Southern margin, 140 km from Agulhas / 144 km off Ratels Estuary, 36°02'29.58"S, 19°41'24.61"E; 445- 463 m. DSCS-INV 31 (1 fragment): Southern margin, 140 km from Agulhas / 144 km off Ratels Estuary, 36°02'29.58"S, 19°41'24.61"E; 445- 463 m. DSCS-INV 33 (1 fragment): Southern margin, 140 km from Agulhas / 144 km off Ratels Estuary, 36°02'29.58"S, 19°41'24.61"E; 445- 463 m. DSCS-INV 35 (1 fragment): Southern margin, 140 km from Agulhas / 144 km off Ratels Estuary, 36°02'29.58"S, 19°41'24.61"E; 445- 463 m. DSCS-INV 44 (1 fragment): Southern margin, 140 km from Agulhas / 144 km off Ratels Estuary, 36°02'29.58"S, 19°41'24.61"E; 445- 463 m. DSCS_INV 527 (1 specimen): Southern margin, 65 km from Cape St. Francis / 70 km off Slang Estuary, 34°47'05.01"S, 24°45'42.30"E; 392- 418 m. SAMC_A090158 (1 fragment): Southern margin, 116 km from Gouritsmond /off Goukamma Estuary, 35°07'11.34"S, 23°02'41.91"E; 333 m.

Imagery data.

SAM_H1441 (in part: 3 fragments): Southern margin, 3 km from Mosselbaai/11 km off Hartenbos Estuary, 34°10'59.99"S, 22°10'00.00"E; 216 m.

Description.

Colonies uniplanar with sympodial budding and dendroid, formed by extra-tentacular budding. Calices occur in lateral plane of branching. Diameter of largest basal branch examined (SAMC_A090158) 7.0 mm. Calice circular, with slightly serrate margin, reaching a maximum CD of 5.5 mm. Costae prominent, but occasionally inconspicuous in some calices. Costal granulation consisting of small spines better developed on terminal branches. Intercostal ridges narrow. Corallum white.

Septa hexamerally arranged in three complete cycles according to the formula: S1> S2> S3 (≤ 24 septa). S1 widest and extend to columella with straight and vertical to slightly concave axial margins. S2 ~ 1/2 width of S1, also with straight axial margins, sometimes bearing a palus. S1-2 sometimes slightly exsert. S3 smallest septa and have laciniate axial margins. All septa joining columella deep in fossa. Poorly developed Pourtalès plan only visible deeper in fossa. Fossa deep, containing a tall and thick lamellar columella.

Distribution.

Regional: Southern margin of South Africa, off Agulhas extending towards Gouritsmond; 212-445 m.

Remarks.

Specimens examined closely resemble the Atlantic Dendrophyllia alternata Pourtalès, 1880

but disagree with its diagnosis in costae being poorly developed, having three cycles of septa, S1-2 sometimes being slightly exsert, and its columella being a solid and elongated rod. However, the uniplanar, dichotomous branching, sympodial budding, and spines on corallum resemble D. alternata .