taxonID	type	description	language	source
554D1963FFF4FFF7FEA0F20C0DF862B8.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis Colonies rising from reticulate stolons. Tall axial polyps produce numerous daughters from their lateral walls. Gastrovascular cavity extends along whole polyp – sometimes proximal end is filled in. Gastrovascular cavities of polyp and its secondary (lateral) polyps communicate via solenia. Sclerites of body walls slender, often branching and interlocking, sometimes fusing into smaller or larger clumps, white (adapted from key in Bayer 1981 c: 906). Type species	en	Castro, C. B., Medeiros, M. S., Loiola, L. L. (2010): Octocorallia (Cnidaria: Anthozoa) from Brazilian reefs. Journal of Natural History 44 (13 - 14): 763-827, DOI: 10.1080/00222930903441160, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00222930903441160
554D1963FFF4FFF7FEA0F20C0DF862B8.taxon	discussion	Remarks The genus Carijoa, has been included as a synonym of Telesto Lamouroux, 1812 (see Bayer 1981 c). However, Bayer (1981 c: 906, figs. 2,3) stated that Telesto (type species T. aurantiaca Lamouroux, 1812) and Carijoa [type species Carijoa rupicola Müller, 1867 = Carijoa riisei (Duchassaing and Michelotti, 1860)] are distinct genera, based on their quite different sclerites from the body wall. We compared specimens from both type species and agreed with Bayer’s remarks.	en	Castro, C. B., Medeiros, M. S., Loiola, L. L. (2010): Octocorallia (Cnidaria: Anthozoa) from Brazilian reefs. Journal of Natural History 44 (13 - 14): 763-827, DOI: 10.1080/00222930903441160, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00222930903441160
554D1963FFF4FFF4FE86F72C0BBC6218.taxon	description	(Figures 1, 2 A, A′, 3) For the synonymy previous to 1961, see Telesto riisei in Bayer (1961: 39 – 42, figs. 3 – 4, 9 g, pl. 12).	en	Castro, C. B., Medeiros, M. S., Loiola, L. L. (2010): Octocorallia (Cnidaria: Anthozoa) from Brazilian reefs. Journal of Natural History 44 (13 - 14): 763-827, DOI: 10.1080/00222930903441160, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00222930903441160
554D1963FFF4FFF4FE86F72C0BBC6218.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis Colonies with long, slender polyps arising from creeping stolons (Figure 2 A). Polyps longitudinally grooved. Lateral polyps brooding from walls of other polyps up to the fourth order of ramification (Figure 2 A′). Anthocodial armature weak, sclerites (Figure 3 A) in 16 longitudinal series (eight on the insertion of mesenteries; eight between mesenteries), no chevrons; anthostele with ramified, long rods, with varying degrees of fusion (Figure 3 B – D) (Bayer 1961: 39). Description For a complete description see Bayer (1961: 39 – 42, figs. 3 – 4, 9 g, pl. 12). Material	en	Castro, C. B., Medeiros, M. S., Loiola, L. L. (2010): Octocorallia (Cnidaria: Anthozoa) from Brazilian reefs. Journal of Natural History 44 (13 - 14): 763-827, DOI: 10.1080/00222930903441160, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00222930903441160
554D1963FFF4FFF4FE86F72C0BBC6218.taxon	materials_examined	USA: Florida (USNM 49691); Texas (USNM 51966). Puerto Rico (USNM 42597). Curaçao (USNM 51273). Suriname (USNM 51478). Brazil: Pará (USNM 50581 – 50582); Maranhão (MNRJ 00396, 03979); Paraíba (UFPb 295, 297, 299, 300, 301; MNRJ 00156, 00397); Pernambuco (MNRJ 00381, 00398); Alagoas (MNRJ 03385); Bahia (MNRJ 01394, 01838, 01843, 02101, 02198, 02521, 02583, 02750, 02774, 02834, 02952, 02953, 03150, 03162, 03993, 04148, 04711; USNM 50377); Espírito Santo (MNRJ 00382, 00395, 00632, 00642, 01140, 01972, 02517, 02520, 03997, 04154); Rio de Janeiro (MNRJ 00150, 00151, 00153, 00378, 00383, 00384, 00385, 00386, 00387, 00388, 00389, 00390, 00391, 00393, 00427, 00629, 00870, 00873, 01061, 01485, 01701, 01737, 01738, 01967, 01968, 01969, 01970, 01971, 01974, 01978, 03963, 03189, 04534, 04553, 04734, 04884; USNM 50376); São Paulo (MNRJ 00154, 00155, 00392, 02798); Paraná (MNRJ 01980); Santa Catarina (MNRJ 00394, 01094, 01462). China: Shangai (USNM 49554). Type depository “ Museum in Turin ” (Deichmann 1936: 44). Type locality St Thomas, Virgin Islands, Antilles (Duchassaing and Michelotti 1860: 34 – 35). Geographic distribution Almost circum-tropical: western Atlantic (from Florida, USA, to Santa Catarina State, Brazil), St Paul’s Rocks (Edwards and Lubbock 1983), eastern Atlantic (Sierra Leone – Verrill 1870 a), Indian Ocean (Zanzibar – Verrill 1870 a), Indo-Pacific (Sion Gulf, Singapore, Shanghai, Sumatra, Manila, “ New Britain ” – Laackmann 1909; Shann 1912 – and probably as a deep-water invasive species in Hawaii – Grigg 2003). The species was recorded off Brazil from shallow pools (almost exposed to air) to 95 m deep, off the Amazon (Bayer 1959). Oceanic areas in the South Atlantic: Vitória Seamount (Figure 1). Remarks Carijoa riisei usually occurs in shaded areas, such as the entrances of caves, passages and under overhangs. In Abrolhos, it is commonest near the bases of the reefs. However, it can be found in tide pools, as at Tamandaré, Pernambuco State, or in direct sunlight on rocky shores, as at Armação dos Búzios, Rio de Janeiro State, or over the bottom, as in the São Sebastião Channel, São Paulo State, where it can cover most of the available space below 8 m deep. Calcinai et al. (2004) described an association between a “ Carijoa riisei ” and the sponge Desmapsamma anchorata (Carter, 1882). The ectosomal tissue is pale pink in colour, while the interior is a salmon-shaded orange in their sponge. Although there are doubts about the identity of their octocoral (they described light pink, live colonies, with light yellow polyps), associations between Brazilian Carijoa riisei and an undetermined, orange sponge are also quite common. The widespread distribution of this species may be partly explained by its dispersal capacity, through attachment to floating objects (wood, ships, etc.). Living colonies were even recorded on the shell of a turtle Chelonia midas (J. Frasier, personal communication).	en	Castro, C. B., Medeiros, M. S., Loiola, L. L. (2010): Octocorallia (Cnidaria: Anthozoa) from Brazilian reefs. Journal of Natural History 44 (13 - 14): 763-827, DOI: 10.1080/00222930903441160, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00222930903441160
554D1963FFF7FFF4FE07F0C60BA36412.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis Upright colonies, extremely flexible, ramified, with several axes and proximal stalk (Figure 2 B, B′). Polyps isolated, sparse, or in bundles, set up in slender branchlets, with supporting bundle of sclerites (Figure 4). Canal walls in interior of stem with numerous sclerites forming irregular false axis [emended from Kükenthal (1903: 273 – 274) to detail “ arborescent habitus ”]. Type species	en	Castro, C. B., Medeiros, M. S., Loiola, L. L. (2010): Octocorallia (Cnidaria: Anthozoa) from Brazilian reefs. Journal of Natural History 44 (13 - 14): 763-827, DOI: 10.1080/00222930903441160, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00222930903441160
554D1963FFF7FFF1FE13F6890EF76188.taxon	description	(Figures 1, 2 B, B′, 4)	en	Castro, C. B., Medeiros, M. S., Loiola, L. L. (2010): Octocorallia (Cnidaria: Anthozoa) from Brazilian reefs. Journal of Natural History 44 (13 - 14): 763-827, DOI: 10.1080/00222930903441160, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00222930903441160
554D1963FFF7FFF1FE13F6890EF76188.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis Similar to the diagnosis of the genus, which is currently monospecific. Description For a complete description see Verseveldt (1983: 6 – 9, 11, text – figs. 3 a, b, 4 a – p, pl. 2, fig. 1 – 3). Material Brazil: “ Norte ” [North] (MNRJ 00335); Rio Grande do Norte (MNRJ 00334); Bahia (USNM 55655,56678; MNRJ 01393, 01842, 01960, 01961, 01962, 02238, 02475, 02848, 02678, 02738, 02763, 02948, 03062, 03390, 03818, 04304, 04305, 04877). Comparative material Neospongodes portoricensis (Hargitt in Hargitt and Rogers 1901) – Cuba (USNM 7184); Puerto Rico? (USNM 43777); Barbados (USNM 49521, 52525); Neospongodes sp. – Surinam (USNM 55649).	en	Castro, C. B., Medeiros, M. S., Loiola, L. L. (2010): Octocorallia (Cnidaria: Anthozoa) from Brazilian reefs. Journal of Natural History 44 (13 - 14): 763-827, DOI: 10.1080/00222930903441160, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00222930903441160
554D1963FFF7FFF1FE13F6890EF76188.taxon	materials_examined	Type depository “ Zoologisches Museum Hamburg ” (ZMH C 2350) (Verseveldt 1983). Type locality Bahia (Brazil) (Kükenthal 1903; Verseveldt 1983). Geographic distribution Off north-eastern and eastern Brazil (Figure 1). Remarks Five species have been assigned to the genus Neospongodes: Spongodes portoricensis Hargitt in Hargitt and Rogers 1901; Neospongodes atlantica Kükenthal, 1903; N. bahiensis Kükenthal, 1903; N. agassizi Deichmann, 1936; N. caribaea Deichmann, 1936. Stereonephthya portoricensis was initially transferred to Neospongodes (Kükenthal 1905: 718; Deichmann 1936: 67 – 69; Bayer 1961: 56) and, later, to Stereonephthya Kükenthal, 1905 (Verseveldt 1983: 9 – 13). According to Bayer (1961: 56), N. agassizi and N. caribaea belong to the genus Siphonogorgia Kölliker, 1874.	en	Castro, C. B., Medeiros, M. S., Loiola, L. L. (2010): Octocorallia (Cnidaria: Anthozoa) from Brazilian reefs. Journal of Natural History 44 (13 - 14): 763-827, DOI: 10.1080/00222930903441160, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00222930903441160
554D1963FFF2FFF1FE70F1A10B0D6555.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis Coenenchymal sclerites mainly spindles irregularly tuberculated, smaller capstans, and few radiates. Margin of coenenchymal mounds with palisade of projecting sclerites with proximal portion tuberculated and distal, projecting part, smooth (Castro 1990: 412). Type species	en	Castro, C. B., Medeiros, M. S., Loiola, L. L. (2010): Octocorallia (Cnidaria: Anthozoa) from Brazilian reefs. Journal of Natural History 44 (13 - 14): 763-827, DOI: 10.1080/00222930903441160, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00222930903441160
554D1963FFF2FFF1FE4BF23C0D126308.taxon	discussion	Remarks Bayer (1956: F 203) created the family Paramuriceidae to replace the family Muriceidae Duchassaing and Michelotti, 1864, because the type genus of the latter, Muricea Lamouroux, 1821, was transferred to the family Plexauridae. Later, Bayer (1981 c) united Paramuriceidae Bayer, 1956 and Plexauridae Gray, 1859 a, although keeping the two groups in separate subfamilies; Paramuriceinae was considered a junior synonym of Stenogorgiinae (Bayer 1981 c).	en	Castro, C. B., Medeiros, M. S., Loiola, L. L. (2010): Octocorallia (Cnidaria: Anthozoa) from Brazilian reefs. Journal of Natural History 44 (13 - 14): 763-827, DOI: 10.1080/00222930903441160, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00222930903441160
554D1963FFF2FFEEFE7FF7460E1F6068.taxon	description	(Figures 1, 2 C, C′, 5, 6)	en	Castro, C. B., Medeiros, M. S., Loiola, L. L. (2010): Octocorallia (Cnidaria: Anthozoa) from Brazilian reefs. Journal of Natural History 44 (13 - 14): 763-827, DOI: 10.1080/00222930903441160, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00222930903441160
554D1963FFF2FFEEFE7FF7460E1F6068.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis	en	Castro, C. B., Medeiros, M. S., Loiola, L. L. (2010): Octocorallia (Cnidaria: Anthozoa) from Brazilian reefs. Journal of Natural History 44 (13 - 14): 763-827, DOI: 10.1080/00222930903441160, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00222930903441160
554D1963FFF2FFEEFE7FF7460E1F6068.taxon	description	Description For a complete description see Castro (1990: 415 – 420, figs. 4 – 8). Material Brazil: Espírito Santo (MNRJ 03214, 04517, 04909, 05075, 06021); Rio de Janeiro (MNRJ 00380, 00504, 00508, 00631, 01233, 01975, 01977, 02746, 02779, 03986; USNM 73432, 73569,); São Paulo (MNRJ 00507; USNM 73431), Santa Catarina (MNRJ 01459, 01460). Comparative material	en	Castro, C. B., Medeiros, M. S., Loiola, L. L. (2010): Octocorallia (Cnidaria: Anthozoa) from Brazilian reefs. Journal of Natural History 44 (13 - 14): 763-827, DOI: 10.1080/00222930903441160, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00222930903441160
554D1963FFF2FFEEFE7FF7460E1F6068.taxon	materials_examined	Type depository Museu Nacional, Rio de Janeiro (MNRJ 01233) (Castro 1990). Type locality Off Ponta Grossa do Sítio Forte, Grande Island, Angra dos Reis, RJ, Brazil (26 ° 06.8 ′ S, 044 ° 17.6 ′ W) (Castro 1990). Geographic distribution North-west Caribbean (Humann 1993); Brazil: from Amapá State to Santa Catarina State (Figure 1). Remarks Castro (1990) provides a detailed comparison of H. uatumani and Verrill’s (1868 b, 1870 b) nominal species from the Pacific: H. verrucosa, H. tortuosa and H. papillosa. Breedy and Guzman (2005) described Heterogorgia hickmani from the Galapagos Islands. The most remarkable difference between this species and H. uatumani is the conspicuously branched coenenchymal spindles, up to 0.42 mm in length, in their species, H. uatumani has smaller (up to 0.30 mm) and not such strongly branched spindles.	en	Castro, C. B., Medeiros, M. S., Loiola, L. L. (2010): Octocorallia (Cnidaria: Anthozoa) from Brazilian reefs. Journal of Natural History 44 (13 - 14): 763-827, DOI: 10.1080/00222930903441160, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00222930903441160
554D1963FFEDFFEEFE28F2860DFA6212.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis Colonies arborescent, usually planiform. Axis with cross-chambered central core. Coenenchyme moderately to very thick, with circle of longitudinal canals surrounding axis. Calyces prominent, shelf-like or tubular, with projecting spindles, longitudinally arranged. Outer coenenchymal and calyx spindles usually with outer or terminal spines. Axial sheath with capstans, spindles, or oval bodies, never purple in colour (Marques and Castro 1995: 162). Type species	en	Castro, C. B., Medeiros, M. S., Loiola, L. L. (2010): Octocorallia (Cnidaria: Anthozoa) from Brazilian reefs. Journal of Natural History 44 (13 - 14): 763-827, DOI: 10.1080/00222930903441160, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00222930903441160
554D1963FFEDFFEBFE61F0990D7D6020.taxon	description	(Figures 1, 7 A, A′, 8)	en	Castro, C. B., Medeiros, M. S., Loiola, L. L. (2010): Octocorallia (Cnidaria: Anthozoa) from Brazilian reefs. Journal of Natural History 44 (13 - 14): 763-827, DOI: 10.1080/00222930903441160, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00222930903441160
554D1963FFEDFFEBFE61F0990D7D6020.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis Colonies planiform, branching profuse, lateral on larger branches, pinnate on smaller (Figure 7 A, A′); polyps equally distributed on all sides of colonies; calyces sparse (leaving conspicuous surface of free coenenchyme), pointed; calyx sclerites without conspicuous smooth projecting spine, with small spines on outer surface; coenenchymal spindles up to 4 mm long; axial sheath with tuberculated spindles (Figure 8); anthocodial rods pale yellow (Marques and Castro 1995: 170). Description For a complete description see Marques and Castro (1995: 170 – 172, pl. II d – e, fig. 3, fig. 6 a – u). Material Brazil: Bahia (MNRJ 00878, 01384, 01835, 01836, 01869, 02749, 02929, 03107, 04032, 04341, 04145; USNM 89263, 89264; BM 1992.4.9. l); Espírito Santo (MNRJ 02983, 04129, 04342, 04718, 04738, 04939, 04940, 05464, 05959, 05980). Type depository Museu Nacional, Rio de Janeiro, (MNRJ 01869) (Marques and Castro 1995). Type locality Pedra Grande Reefs, Parcel das Paredes, off Caravelas, Bahia State, Brazil, 16 – 18 m (Marques and Castro 1995). Geographic distribution Brazil: Abrolhos Bank; off Itapemirim, Espírito Santo State (Figure 1). Remarks Further and more detailed studies from the Brazilian coast are necessary to evaluate the distribution of this species correctly.	en	Castro, C. B., Medeiros, M. S., Loiola, L. L. (2010): Octocorallia (Cnidaria: Anthozoa) from Brazilian reefs. Journal of Natural History 44 (13 - 14): 763-827, DOI: 10.1080/00222930903441160, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00222930903441160
554D1963FFE8FFEBFE7FF2A40C3464E0.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis Arborescent colonies of either pinnate or bushy form, with slender branches. Slightly projecting shelf-like or lip-like calyces. Coenenchymal outer layer with sclerites with outer sculpture as projecting spines or foliate processes; inner surface with low warts; some clavate or with one tapering end; deeper region of cortex with symmetrically sculptured sclerites. Calyx walls usually with clubs with sculpture similar to outer layer of coenenchyme sclerites. Axial sheath with slender, sharply pointed spindles, colourless or deep purple. No outer layer of small clubs at the surface of the coenenchyme (Bayer 1961: 161). Type species	en	Castro, C. B., Medeiros, M. S., Loiola, L. L. (2010): Octocorallia (Cnidaria: Anthozoa) from Brazilian reefs. Journal of Natural History 44 (13 - 14): 763-827, DOI: 10.1080/00222930903441160, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00222930903441160
554D1963FFE8FFEBFE7FF2A40C3464E0.taxon	discussion	Remarks Sánchez (2001) reviewed species of Muriceopsis and listed at least four previous valid species from the Atlantic (M. petila, M. sulphurea, M. flavida and M. tuberculata), and described a new species: M. bayeri (later with a new name M. bayeriana Sánchez, 2007). A single specimen from Brazil was set apart from all other branches of Sánchez’s consensus tree: “ Muriceopsis sp. 2 Brazil ” (USNM 55799). Sánchez (2007) suggested that up to four different species might be present in Brazil. However, he mentioned only two or three lots of each species and a single specimen of an undetermined (new?) species. Three morphs from Brazil, a “ sulphurea ” from Antilles, and his new species were included in a single branch of his consensus tree (Sánchez 2001: fig. 12). An analysis of a large series of specimens showed great variation of the sclerites from the outer layer of the coenenchyme. This can also be observed on several published figures (Verrill 1912: pl. 29, fig. 1 a, pl. 35, figs. 1, 1 a; Deichmann and Bayer 1959: pl. 3; Bayer 1961: fig. 48 b; Sánchez 2001: figs. 6, 9). Therefore, a thorough review of large series, preferably including molecular techniques, is necessary for a sound analysis of the identity and limits of variation of South Atlantic species of Muriceopsis.	en	Castro, C. B., Medeiros, M. S., Loiola, L. L. (2010): Octocorallia (Cnidaria: Anthozoa) from Brazilian reefs. Journal of Natural History 44 (13 - 14): 763-827, DOI: 10.1080/00222930903441160, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00222930903441160
554D1963FFE8FFE7FE4CF6F10C686418.taxon	description	(Figures 1, 7 B, 7 B′, 9, 10) For the synonymy previous to 1961 see Muriceopsis sulphurea in Bayer (1961: 162 – 163, text – fig. 48 a, b, pl. 2, fig. 8).	en	Castro, C. B., Medeiros, M. S., Loiola, L. L. (2010): Octocorallia (Cnidaria: Anthozoa) from Brazilian reefs. Journal of Natural History 44 (13 - 14): 763-827, DOI: 10.1080/00222930903441160, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00222930903441160
554D1963FFE8FFE7FE4CF6F10C686418.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis Colonies low, shrub-like, with profuse, irregular pinnate branching. Terminal branches 2 – 5 mm thick. Polyps forming shelf-like or nariform calyces. Coenenchymal outer layer as stout spindle, oval or oblong sclerites (at most 0.42 – 1.20 mm long in different colonies), with foliate or spiny processes on their outer surface, and some smaller torches or clubs not arranged in a special stratum at the surface. Axial sheath with slender spindles about 0.3 mm in length, yellow, rarely purple (emended from Bayer 1961: 163, to include variations in sclerite form present in Sánchez 2001, “ sulphurea ” clade). Description For a complete description see Bayer (1961: 162 – 163, text-fig. 48 a-b, pl. 2, fig. 8). Colonies can be low and bushy, with short branches, longer and irregularly pinnate, or any intermediate form (Figure 7 B). Outer layer of coenenchyme with leaf spindles or sclerites with spines / tubercles more developed on the outer side and, less frequently, clubs (at most 0.42 – 1.2 mm long in different colonies) (Figures 9 A, 10). Middle layer, when present, with spindles, oblongs and ovals with small tubercles densely and uniformly disposed (at most 0.48 – 1 mm long in different colonies) (Figure 9 D). Axial sheath sclerites spindles with more sparse tubercles than those from more external layers (at most 0.35 – 0.73 mm long) (Figure 9 B). Calyces densely distributed, with their apex turned upwards and the lower side (closer to the branch origin) more developed than the upper side (closer to the branch tip) (Figure 7 B′). Forms with more slender branches with calyces slightly elevated only on the lower side (lower lip-like). Polyp sclerites as slightly flattened rods sculptured with sparse nodules (at most 0.11 – 0.22 mm long in different colonies); additionally tentacles with small, smoother rods (at most 0.05 – 0.08 mm long in different colonies) (Figure 9 C). Material Puerto Rico (USNM 51931, 52031, 52193, 52194); Santa Lucia – Antilles (USNM 51416). Brazil: Paraíba (MNRJ 00455, 00456, 00457; UFPb 296, 396); Pernambuco: (MNRJ 03146); Alagoas (MNRJ 00520); Bahia (MNRJ 00450, 00451, 01395, 01989, 01990, 02197, 02200, 02236, 02585, 02725, 02739, 02788, 02835, 03065, 04310, 04588, 04591, 04592, 04593, 04594, 04595, 04596, 04597; USNM 5289, 5290, 5301; YPM 1515, 4510; UFPb 277, 281, 284, 285, 288, 293); Espírito Santo (MNRJ 00447, 00448, 00449, 00452, 00453, 00454, 00458, 00459, 00637, 00640, 01143, 01144, 02262); Rio de Janeiro, (MNRJ 00460). Comparative material	en	Castro, C. B., Medeiros, M. S., Loiola, L. L. (2010): Octocorallia (Cnidaria: Anthozoa) from Brazilian reefs. Journal of Natural History 44 (13 - 14): 763-827, DOI: 10.1080/00222930903441160, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00222930903441160
554D1963FFE8FFE7FE4CF6F10C686418.taxon	materials_examined	Type depository “ Possibly in some collection in England ” according to Deichmann and Bayer (1959: 7). Type locality Brazilian seas (Donovan 1825: plate 126). Geographic distribution Western Atlantic: Antilles (Puerto Rico, Santa Lucia, “ St Barthelémy ”, Aurivillius 1931), Brazil (southwards to off the mouth of the Itabapoana River, border of Espírito Santo and Rio de Janeiro States) (Figure 1). Remarks Groups of specimens collected in the same site usually display similar growth forms. Deichmann and Bayer (1959: 8) suggested that this pattern could be the result of varying environmental conditions. It is not known if there is a genetic influence on it. Muriceopsis sulphurea can be distinguished from M. flavida (Lamarck, 1815) because the latter shows regular pinnate branching, smaller calyces and more delicate, sparser sclerites (Bayer 1961: 163). Muriceopsis petila differs from the former in its sclerites being long, slender spindles, its thinner branches and sparser branching. Sánchez (2001) reviewed the genus Muriceopsis. He studied specimens of all known species and described a new species: M. bayeri. He suggested that up to four different species might be present in Brazil. However, he mentioned only two or three lots of each species and a single lot of an undetermined (new?) species. Three morphs from Brazil, a “ sulphurea ” from Antilles, and his new species were included in a single branch on his consensus tree (Sánchez 2001: fig. 12). An analysis of a large series of specimens showed great variation of the sclerites from the outer layer of the coenenchyme (Figure 10). This can also be observed on several previously published figures (Verrill 1912: pl. 29, fig. 1 a, pl. 35, figs. 1, 1 a; Deichmann and Bayer 1959: pl. 3; Bayer 1961: fig. 48 b). The two original illustrations of Muriceopsis sulphurea, which were drawn from specimens from “ Brazilian seas ”, show two different forms. The sclerites of Donovan’s type specimens have never been described. The specimens themselves are also unknown (see Deichmann and Bayer 1959). Therefore, Donovan’s specimens may belong to multiple species (see M. metaclados sp. nov.). As the name M. sulphurea has been associated with a common reef gorgonian since Deichmann and Bayer’s work (1959), we assume their description (shrub-like colonies) as the typical form of Muriceopsis. As a result of the great variation within these forms (Figure 10), there may be more than one valid species within this “ sulphurea complex ”, as suggested by Sánchez (2001). Therefore, we kept Sánchez’s whole “ sulphurea branch ” within this species. However, a thorough review is needed to clarify its situation.	en	Castro, C. B., Medeiros, M. S., Loiola, L. L. (2010): Octocorallia (Cnidaria: Anthozoa) from Brazilian reefs. Journal of Natural History 44 (13 - 14): 763-827, DOI: 10.1080/00222930903441160, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00222930903441160
554D1963FFE4FFE3FE67F6960D8C6428.taxon	description	(Figures 1, 7 C, C′, 11)	en	Castro, C. B., Medeiros, M. S., Loiola, L. L. (2010): Octocorallia (Cnidaria: Anthozoa) from Brazilian reefs. Journal of Natural History 44 (13 - 14): 763-827, DOI: 10.1080/00222930903441160, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00222930903441160
554D1963FFE4FFE3FE67F6960D8C6428.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis Colonies sparsely ramified, planar or bushy, never feather-shaped. Terminal branches 1.9 – 3.5 mm thick. Coenenchymal and outer layer of calyces with slender spindles (up to 1.39 mm long) or somewhat club-shaped sclerites (up to 0.6 mm long), which may have foliate or spiny tubercles on their outer surface. Description Variable species. Colonies sparsely ramified, planar or bushy (Figure 7 C). Branches rounded in transverse section (Figure 7 C′). Colonies up to 100 mm high, 40 – 110 mm wide, and up to 100 mm deep; trunk diameter near the basis 1.8 – 5.0 mm. Horny axis rounded in transverse section, brownish. Main branches or primary branches up to 140 mm long (straightened), diameter with calyces 1.8 – 5.7 mm, without calyces 1.0 – 4.0 mm; diameter at their proximal end 1.9 – 5.0 mm. Secondary branches 8 – 118 mm long; diameter with calyces 1.1 – 5 mm, without calyces 1 – 4.1 mm; diameter at their proximal end 1.5 – 4.2 mm. Terminal twigs 5 – 60 mm long, diameter with calyces 1.9 – 3.5 mm, without calyces 1.3 – 2.4 mm; diameter at their proximal end 2.1 – 3.3 mm. Distance between consecutive branches 5 – 190 mm. Calyces all around branches (although they may be lacking on parts of branches), half-cup-shaped, 0.6 – 2.7 mm high, 0.4 – 1.7 mm wide (Figure 7 C′). Distance between adjacent calyces from contiguous to 3.4 mm apart; 10 – 41 calyces / centimetre. Coenenchyme with spindles of uniform sculpture of small tubercles (0.12 – 1.22 mm long) or inner face of small tubercles and outer face of large spines (0.15 – 1.39 mm long); sometimes these spines may cluster near an end of the spindle, giving it a club-like appearance. (0.15 – 0.6 mm long) (Figure 11 A). Calyces with sclerites similar to those of the coenenchyme: uniform spindles (0.12 – 1.17 mm long); unilaterally spinose spindles (0.13 – 1.07 mm long), or club-like (0.13 – 0.73 mm long) (Figure 11 B). Axial sheath mainly with spindles of uniform sculpture of small tubercles, 0.15 – 0.60 mm long (Figure 11 C). Polyps with poorly ornamented rods (0.02 – 0.42 mm long) (Figure 11 D). Colony colour: uniform white or cream. Sclerites white or colourless (transparent); axial spindles purple. Material Holotype. Brazil: Ceará: off Iguapé Point and Maceió Point (NOAS # 1693, 03 ° 30 ′ S, 037 ° 56.5 ′ W, 49 m, August – December 1967 one colony plus five fragments) (MNRJ 03281) (Figure 1). Paratypes. Brazil: Ceará – off Acaraú (identified by F. M. Bayer as Muriceopsis sp.) (USNM 55799, 44 m); Bahia, off Todos os Santos Bay (13 ° 04 ′ 30 ′′ S, 038 ° 23 ′ 30 ′′ W) (MNRJ 04131, 04147, 05082, 05086, 91 m), off Boipeba Island (13 ° 36.67 ′ S, 038 ° 47.212 ′ W) (MNRJ 05082, 40 – 45.2 m), California Reef (18 ° 07 ′ S, 038 ° 34 ′ W) (MNRJ 04147, 20 – 30 m), Hotspur Seamount (18 ° 01 ′ 22 ′′ S, 035 ° 53 ′ 28 ′′ W) (MNRJ 04131, 60 m); Espírito Santo, Vitória Seamount (off Vitória – 20 ° 34.37 ′ S, 038 ° 03.53 ′ W (MNRJ 04869, 55 m); Rio de Janeiro, off São João da Barra (21 ° 30 ′ S, 040 ° 18 ′ W) (MNRJ 04127, 04128, 04872, 52 m) (Figure 1). Other specimens. Brazil: Maranhão (NOAS # 1750, 00 ° 04 ′ S, 044 ° 33.5 ′ W, two fragments, UFPE-DO; NOAS # 1875, 00 ° 56 ′ S, 043 ° 41.5 ′ W, two fragments, UFPE- DO; NOAS N-NEII # 1872, 01 ° 20 ′ S, 043 ° 33.5 ′ W, two fragments, UFPE-DO); Ceará (NOAS # 1711, 02 ° 25 ′ S, 039 ° 30.5 ′ W, two fragments, UFPE-DO; CN # 66, 02 ° 41 ′ S, 039 ° 10 ′ W, two fragments, UFPE-DO; CN # 61, 02 ° 59 ′ S, 038 ° 58 ′ W, more than 10 fragments, UFPE-DO; CN # 15, 01 ° 30 ′ S, 038 ° 48 ′ W, one colony plus three fragments, UFPE-DO; CN # 23 and # 26, 02 ° 15 ′ S, 038 ° 15 ′ W; CN # 73, 03 ° 18 ′ S, 038 ° 14 ′ W, three lots, more than 70 fragments, UFPE-DO; NOAS # 1693, 03 ° 30 ′ S, 037 ° 56.5 ′ W, one colony plus five fragments, UFPE-DO; CN # 52, 03 ° 40 ′ S, 037 ° 54 ′ W, more than 10 fragments, UFPE-DO; CN # 19, 01 ° 56 ′ S, 037 ° 51 ′ W, more than 50 fragments; NOAS # 1701 A, 01 ° 57 ′ S, 037 ° 46 ′ W, more than 10 fragments, UFPE-DO); Rio Grande do Norte (NOAS # 1684, 03 ° 59.5 ′ S, 035 ° 53.7 ′ W, three fragments; NOAS # 1684 A, 03 ° 59.5 ′ S, 035 ° 53.7 ′ W, six fragments, UFPE-DO; NOAS # 1684 B, 03 ° 59.5 ′ S, 035 ° 53.7 ′ W, four fragments, UFPE-DO); Paraíba (NOAS N-NEII # 1858, 06 ° 50 ′ S, 034 ° 44 ′ W, three fragments, UFPE-DO) (Figure 1). Comparative material	en	Castro, C. B., Medeiros, M. S., Loiola, L. L. (2010): Octocorallia (Cnidaria: Anthozoa) from Brazilian reefs. Journal of Natural History 44 (13 - 14): 763-827, DOI: 10.1080/00222930903441160, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00222930903441160
554D1963FFE4FFE3FE67F6960D8C6428.taxon	materials_examined	Type depository Museu Nacional, Rio de Janeiro (MNRJ 03281). Etymology of the specific name Greek meta (variable) + Greek clados (branch). Remarks Aurivillius (1931) lists five other species assigned to Muriceopsis. Four of them were included in the synonymy of Muriceopsis sulphurea by Bayer (1961): Muriceopsis bicolor, Muriceopsis acropora, Muriceopsis humilis and Muriceopsis tuberculata. The remaining species is Muriceopsis chuni (Kükenthal, 1919). However, the illustration of a colony included in Kükenthal (1919) does not show the typical calyces of Muriceopsis (with a lower lip); instead it shows symmetrical coenenchymal mounds. Also, although Kükenthal (1919) created this species as Muriceides chuni, sclerites figured in his plates are not similar to those diagnostic of Muriceides: they do not show spindles with projecting spines. This species differs also from M. metaclados in the exclusive occurrence of white axial sheath sclerites (according to Aurivillius 1931). Deichmann and Bayer (1959) included several species and varieties of Muricea humilis Milne-Edwards and Haime, 1857, Muricea acropora Verrill, 1912 and Muricea bicolor Wright and Studer, 1889 in the synonymy of Muriceopsis sulphurea. Bayer (1961) lists three species of Muriceopsis for the western Atlantic: M. sulphurea, M. flavida and M. petila. According to comparative material and the literature (see synonym list under M. sulphurea), M. sulphurea has much stouter sclerites on the coenenchyme and calyx. Also, this species has rare purple spindles in the axial sheath (Bayer 1961), while these sclerites are much more common than white sclerites in M. metaclados. Muriceopsis flavida has “ feather-shaped colonies, often with secondary branches developing into new feathers ” (Deichmann and Bayer 1959). Moreover, their coenenchymal and calyx spindles are much smaller [spindles up to 0.33 mm and clubs up to 0.25 mm (Bayer 1961 and comparative material)] than in the new species (spindles up to 1.39 mm and clubs up to 0.60 mm). Muriceopsis petila has coenenchymal and calyx sclerites thinner and with more delicate outer spines than the new species. Also, according to the comparative material and Bayer (1961), its branching is more regularly pinnate (Bayer 1961: pl. IV, fig. 2) and its branches are more slen- der (“ uniform diameter 1.5 – 2 mm ”) than in the new species. Sánchez (2001) reviewed species of Muriceopsis and listed at least four previous valid species from the Atlantic (M. petila, M. sulphurea, M. flavida and M. tuberculata, the latter from the African coast) and described a new species: M. bayeri. Muriceopsis bayeri could be readily distinguished from M. metaclados by the ornamentation of spindles of the external layer of the coenenchyme: “ big and hypermorphic warts towards spiny and non-spiny surfaces of the sclerite ” (Sánchez 2001: 170, figs 6 A, 7 A; see also remarks on M. sulphurea). A single specimen from Brazil was set apart from all other branches of his consensus tree (Sánchez 2001: fig. 12): “ Muriceopsis sp. 2 Brazil ” (USNM 55799). This specimen was herein examined and included as a paratype of M. metaclados sp. nov. Species previously synonymized with M. sulphurea were described from specimens readily distinguishable from M. metaclados. The illustrations in Verrill (1912) of Muricea humilis (Verrill 1912: pl. XXIX, fig. 1,1 a; pl. XXXII, figs. 4,5; XXXV, fig. 2) and Muricea acropora (Verrill 1912: pl. XXXII, fig. 3; pl. XXXV, fig. 1,1 a) show shrub-like colonies, relatively thick branches, and stout sclerites with large spines or foliate processes, unlike those described for M. metaclados. Muricea bicolor Wright and Studer, 1889, present “ larger branches that arise at obtuse angles, but soon bend upwards and run parallel to the main stem ” (Wright and Studer 1889: 134). Also, according to Wright and Studer’s description (1889: 135), maximum length of coenenchymal sclerites is less than half the length of M. metaclados. Specimens from the new species resemble one of the two original illustrations of Muriceopsis sulphurea (see remarks in M. sukphurea). As the name M. sulphurea has been associated with a common shrub-like reef gorgonian since Deichmann and Bayer’s (1959) review of Muriceopsis, we hereby describe our specimens [second form in Donovan (1825), Muriceopsis sp. in Medeiros and Castro (1999) and Muriceopsis sp. 2 Brazil in Sánchez (2001)] as a new species.	en	Castro, C. B., Medeiros, M. S., Loiola, L. L. (2010): Octocorallia (Cnidaria: Anthozoa) from Brazilian reefs. Journal of Natural History 44 (13 - 14): 763-827, DOI: 10.1080/00222930903441160, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00222930903441160
554D1963FFE0FFE2FDD4F6BC0B7D61B0.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis Dichotomously or laterally branching plexaurids with thick coenenchyme and presence of butterfly-form sclerites. Axial sheath sclerites never purple. Polyps with few, small rods (emended from Bayer 1961: 168 to include laterally branching forms and species without predominance or exclusive occurrence of butterfly-form sclerites in the coenenchyme). Type species	en	Castro, C. B., Medeiros, M. S., Loiola, L. L. (2010): Octocorallia (Cnidaria: Anthozoa) from Brazilian reefs. Journal of Natural History 44 (13 - 14): 763-827, DOI: 10.1080/00222930903441160, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00222930903441160
554D1963FFE1FFDFFE35F21C0CE460E8.taxon	description	(Figures 1, 12 A, A′, 13) For the synonymy previous to 1961, see Bayer (1961: 170 – 172, text-fig. 50, pl. VI, figs. 6,7, pls. XXIII – XXV) and Grasshoff 1991: 334.	en	Castro, C. B., Medeiros, M. S., Loiola, L. L. (2010): Octocorallia (Cnidaria: Anthozoa) from Brazilian reefs. Journal of Natural History 44 (13 - 14): 763-827, DOI: 10.1080/00222930903441160, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00222930903441160
554D1963FFE1FFDFFE35F21C0CE460E8.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis Colonies dichotomously branching (Figure 12 A). Branches long or short, tips slightly clavate or not (Figure 12 A′). Coenenchymal mounds absent or coenenchyme elevated around polyps, sometimes on opposite sides of aperture, forming two “ lips ”. Outer layer of coenenchyme with six radiates, slender butterflies or “ antler-shaped bodies ” (up to about 0.1 mm long), with rays weakly ornamented. Middle layer of coenenchyme mainly with spindles, “ triradiates ” and “ quadriradiates ” (butterfly-form) (all up to about 0.35 mm long) (Figure 13); all middle-layer sclerites strong, compact, and with tubercles well developed and densely distributed (Bayer 1961: 170). Description For a complete description see Bayer (1961: 170 – 172, text-fig. 50, pl. VI, figs. 6,7, pls. XXIII – XXV). Material	en	Castro, C. B., Medeiros, M. S., Loiola, L. L. (2010): Octocorallia (Cnidaria: Anthozoa) from Brazilian reefs. Journal of Natural History 44 (13 - 14): 763-827, DOI: 10.1080/00222930903441160, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00222930903441160
554D1963FFE1FFDFFE35F21C0CE460E8.taxon	materials_examined	USA: Florida (MNRJ 1269 [ex-USNM 50319]). Brazil: Maranhão (MNRJ 01534, 01541); Rio Grande do Norte (MNRJ 00443); Pernambuco (YPM 4509, USNM 5278, MNRJ 00980). Type depository Senckenberg Museum, Frankfurt (SMF 5808) (Grasshoff 1991: 334). Type locality “ Von den südlichen americanischen Inseln ” (Esper 1791: 59). Geographic distribution Western Atlantic: Bermudas (Verrill 1906 – 1907), Florida (Bayer 1961), Bahamas (Bayer 1961), Antilles (Bayer 1961), off northern Brazil (Parcel do Manuel Luiz (MA), Atol das Rocas, Fernando de Noronha) (Figure 1). Remarks	en	Castro, C. B., Medeiros, M. S., Loiola, L. L. (2010): Octocorallia (Cnidaria: Anthozoa) from Brazilian reefs. Journal of Natural History 44 (13 - 14): 763-827, DOI: 10.1080/00222930903441160, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00222930903441160
554D1963FFE1FFDFFE35F21C0CE460E8.taxon	description	However, P. grisea was originally described as a variety of P. dichotoma, which suggests it is a closely related form, and that these species are chemically similar (Gerhart 1983). Plexaurella grandiflora is also close to P. dichotoma, differing in a few aspects (see Remarks under the heading P. grandiflora). It is possible that detailed studies will establish that these three species are synonymous. Verrill (1906 – 1907) described some dry specimens of P. dichotoma as whitish colonies, with the surface finely granulated. This “ condition ” is seen in all specimens from Brazil (Maranhão State, Rocas Atoll, and Fernando de Noronha Archipelago) and imparts a finely porous appearance to the colony surface. Specimens from Fernando de Noronha had middle layer sclerites a little more slender than those from Rocas Atoll and Manuel Luiz Reefs, Maranhão State. They also differed in colony growth form: short colonies with short branches at Fernando de Noronha and tall with long branches at the other localities. Specimens from Fernando de Noronha were collected in shallow water (c. 2 m) and high hydrodynamism (off Leão Beach), while those from Rocas Atoll were found loose from the substratum and, therefore, it is not possible to establish the depth at which they lived. However, no attached colonies were observed in 20 days of intensive dive collecting in the Rocas Atoll, which suggests that these colonies came from much deeper areas than those from Fernando de Noronha. It is possible that the variation seen on the sclerites is related to the variation of colony growth form and to depth / hydrodynamism / light characteristics at the areas where they grow. Such correlation has been demonstrated for other plexaurids (Muricea Lamouroux, 1821) by Grigg (1970).	en	Castro, C. B., Medeiros, M. S., Loiola, L. L. (2010): Octocorallia (Cnidaria: Anthozoa) from Brazilian reefs. Journal of Natural History 44 (13 - 14): 763-827, DOI: 10.1080/00222930903441160, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00222930903441160
554D1963FFDCFFDDFE79F2FC0CA06090.taxon	description	(Figures 1, 12 B, B′, 12 C, C′, 14) For the synonymy previous to 1961, see Bayer (1961: 173 – 175, text-fig. 52, pl. VI, fig. 5).	en	Castro, C. B., Medeiros, M. S., Loiola, L. L. (2010): Octocorallia (Cnidaria: Anthozoa) from Brazilian reefs. Journal of Natural History 44 (13 - 14): 763-827, DOI: 10.1080/00222930903441160, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00222930903441160
554D1963FFDCFFDDFE79F2FC0CA06090.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis Colonies dichotomously branching (Figure 12 B, C). Branches can be thickened at extremities (Figure 12 B′, C′). Coenenchymal mounds from absent to well developed (conical or tubular), sometimes bilabiate. Sclerites of outer layer of coenenchyme butterflies (up to 0.10 mm long), often asymmetricallly developed, with rays ornamented with well-developed tubercles; tentacles with flat rods reaching 0.07 mm long. Middle layer mainly with butterflies (up to about 0.20 mm long); also triradiates and spindles (up to 0.40 mm long), either straight or bent at the waist, with welldeveloped and densely distributed tubercles (Figure 14) (emended from Bayer 1961: 174 to include forms without coenenchymal mounds, to indicate well-developed tubercles in outer layer butterflies, and to incorporate minor adjustments in sclerite sizes). Description For a complete description see Bayer (1961: 173 – 175, text-fig. 52, pl. VI, fig. 5). Material Brazil: Paraíba (MNRJ 00446, 01273; UFPb 397); Pernambuco (YPM 4503; MNRJ 02754); Alagoas (MNRJ 00445, 02752); Bahia (YPM 1597, 1598, 4501, 4502; MNRJ 00157, 00435, 00436, 01274, 01397, 01988, 02199, 02584, 02726, 02861, 04002, 04342, 04584, 04585, 04586, 04587; UFPb 275, 278, 282, 289, 294, 298); Espírito Santo (MNRJ 00431, 00432, 00433, 00437, 00438, 00439, 00441, 00442, 00635, 00639, 01148, 01149, 01344, 01987, 03961, 04589); Rio de Janeiro (MNRJ 00444). Type depository Peabody Museum of Natural History, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA (YPM 4501). Type locality “ Mar Grande, Brazil ” (Verrill 1912: 361). Geographic distribution: Endemic in the Brazilian littoral (recorded from Paraíba to the border of Espírito Santo with Rio de Janeiro States) (Figure 1). Remarks Castro (1989) discussed the high variability in the colonial morphology of P. grandiflora. Its sclerites and colonial morphology are very similar to those of P. dichotoma. The main character that differentiates both species would be the presence of small antlers in P. dichotoma and the absence or extreme rarity of these sclerites in P. grandiflora. The same author, after the examination of Verrill’s type specimens of P. pumila, P. cylindrica, P. braziliana and P. verrucosa, and because of the overlap of several taxonomic characters, proposed the synonymy of P. pumila and P. grandiflora, and confirmed the synonymy of the other species with P. grandiflora.	en	Castro, C. B., Medeiros, M. S., Loiola, L. L. (2010): Octocorallia (Cnidaria: Anthozoa) from Brazilian reefs. Journal of Natural History 44 (13 - 14): 763-827, DOI: 10.1080/00222930903441160, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00222930903441160
554D1963FFDEFFDCFE19F2F10C8464B9.taxon	description	(Figures 1, 12 D, D′, 15)	en	Castro, C. B., Medeiros, M. S., Loiola, L. L. (2010): Octocorallia (Cnidaria: Anthozoa) from Brazilian reefs. Journal of Natural History 44 (13 - 14): 763-827, DOI: 10.1080/00222930903441160, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00222930903441160
554D1963FFDEFFDCFE19F2F10C8464B9.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis Lateral branching colonies (Figure 12 D). Branches thick (18 – 24 mm near distal ends) (Figure 12 D′). Coenenchymal mounds absent. Butterflies restricted to the outer layer of coenenchyme. Inner coenenchyme exclusively with tuberculated spindles, up to 0.75 mm long (Figure 15) (adapted from Castro 1989: 601, as a formal diagnosis is lacking). Description For a complete description see Castro (1989: 37 – 43, figs. 2,3). Material Brazil: Bahia (MNRJ 00434, 00440, 01176, 02748, 02751, 04580, 04581, 04582, 04583; USNM 73735, 73399; UFPb 279, 290). Type depository Museu Nacional, Rio de Janeiro (MNRJ 00440) (Castro 1989). Type locality Abrolhos Reefs, Bahia State, Brazil (Castro 1989). Geographic distribution Known only from the vicinity of the Abrolhos Reefs, Brazil (Figure 1). Remarks The last decade has seen a surge of research on Brazilian reefs (see Castro and Pires 2001). However, P. regia is still only recorded from southern Bahia, especially from the Abrolhos Bank. It is a shallow-water, large and conspicuous species, easy to identify in the field. It seems to be restricted to offshore (> 5 km from the coast) reefs of southern Bahia, approximately from Porto Seguro to the Abrolhos Bank. Family GORGONIIDAE Lamouroux, 1812	en	Castro, C. B., Medeiros, M. S., Loiola, L. L. (2010): Octocorallia (Cnidaria: Anthozoa) from Brazilian reefs. Journal of Natural History 44 (13 - 14): 763-827, DOI: 10.1080/00222930903441160, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00222930903441160
554D1963FFDFFFDBFE55F6FD0B2660F8.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis Sclerites of coenenchyme and coenenchymal mounds as symmetrically tuberculated spindles; slightly bent spindles, asymmetrically sculptured spindles; spindles with some warts fused into disks present in some species. Anthocodial armature of small rods and platelets. Colonies with holdfast, attached to hard bottoms, more or less branched, branches not anostomosing; some species with or without holdfast, attached or lying; several species always without holdfast, “ filiform ”, growing from both ends. (Grasshoff 1988: 97). Type species	en	Castro, C. B., Medeiros, M. S., Loiola, L. L. (2010): Octocorallia (Cnidaria: Anthozoa) from Brazilian reefs. Journal of Natural History 44 (13 - 14): 763-827, DOI: 10.1080/00222930903441160, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00222930903441160
554D1963FFD8FFD7FEEAF2EC0B0564E8.taxon	description	(Figures 1, 16 A, A′, 17) For the synonymy previous to 1961, see Lophogorgia punicea in Bayer (1961: 204 – 207, text-figs 61 a – h, 62 a – e, pl. 7, fig. 6).	en	Castro, C. B., Medeiros, M. S., Loiola, L. L. (2010): Octocorallia (Cnidaria: Anthozoa) from Brazilian reefs. Journal of Natural History 44 (13 - 14): 763-827, DOI: 10.1080/00222930903441160, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00222930903441160
554D1963FFD8FFD7FEEAF2EC0B0564E8.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis Colonies openly pinnate, almost always planar. Branches usually short, upward curving. Polyps in alternating single or double rows on two sides of secondary and terminal branches, all around major branches, with conspicuous hemispherical coenenchymal mounds. Sclerites from coenenchyme capstans, double cones and spindles poorly or not flattened (0.07 – 0.15 mm long). Anthocodial rods flat, as long as the longest cortical spindles (0.08 – 0.16 mm long). Colony colour (live or fixed): bright or purplish red (with colourless, orange, or red anthocodial rods); pink (with orange or red anthocodial rods); white (with colourless or orange rods). Coenenchymal sclerites colour: shades of red, pink, or colourless (emended from Bayer 1961: 204, to indicate colonies mostly planar, with short branches, to include more sclerite forms, and to present more detailed colour data). Description Colonies irregularly pinnate, densely branched, almost always planar (Figure 16 A). Branches usually short, upward curving. Trunk and main stem (s) distinct, with sudden changes in thickness at the point of origin of branches. Trunk diameter near bases 0.8 – 7 mm, terminal twigs 0.6 – 0.8 mm. Longitudinal ridge or groove along branches conspicuous or not. Coenenchymal mounds as conspicuous hemispherical warts, rounded on thick branches and slightly flattened on terminal branchlets. Polyps sparse in irregular rows on trunk, in multiple longitudinal rows on main branches, and in single or double rows on opposite sides of terminal twigs (Figure 16 A′). Sclerites of outer layer of coenenchyme capstans (at most 0.07 – 0.09 mm long on different colonies), spindles, and double cones (at most 0.08 – 0.15 mm long in different colonies) (Figure 17 C, F, I); series of specimens showed from only capstans to almost only spindles. No conspicuous middle layer. Axial sheath sclerites spindles with slender waist, tubercles more sparsely set than those from the outer layer (at most 0.09 – 0.15 mm long in different colonies) (Figure 17 D, G, J). Anthocodial armature with multiple longitudinal rows in each point, collaret not clearly delimited, and neck zone with sparse or closeset small sclerites (Figure 17 A). Anthocodial rods flat, very variable in size and shape (at most 0.08 – 0.16 mm long in different colonies) (Figure 17 B, E, H). Longest (from the points) often spindle-shaped, with dentate or serrate edges; shortest (from the collaret and neck zone) oval, with undulating edges and a more or less clear median waist. All kinds of arrangements can be found. Colony colour (live or fixed): bright or purplish red (with colourless, orange, or red anthocodial rods); pink (with orange or red anthocodial rods); white (with colourless or orange rods). Coenenchymal sclerites colour: shades of red, pink, or colourless. Anthocodial rods colour: shades of red, orange, colourless, or bicoloured. Colony size: 40 – 300 mm high, 15 – 270 mm wide, 05 – 88 mm deep. Material Brazil: Bahia (MNRJ 02575, 03994, 04307, 04333); Espírito Santo (MNRJ 00633, 03967, 04511); Rio de Janeiro (MNRJ 00139, 00140, 00141, 00142, 00143, 00144, 00257, 00262, 00362, 00367, 00369, 00371, 00372, 00373, 00374, 00375, 00377, 00378, 00379, 00423, 00428, 00430, 00630, 01976, 01982, 03399, 03675, 04536, 04552; UFPb 394; USNM 633); São Paulo (USNM 57452; MNRJ 00376); Paraná (MNRJ 00370); Santa Catarina (MNRJ 02691); Rio Grande do Sul (MNRJ 04522). Comparative material	en	Castro, C. B., Medeiros, M. S., Loiola, L. L. (2010): Octocorallia (Cnidaria: Anthozoa) from Brazilian reefs. Journal of Natural History 44 (13 - 14): 763-827, DOI: 10.1080/00222930903441160, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00222930903441160
554D1963FFD8FFD7FEEAF2EC0B0564E8.taxon	materials_examined	Type depository “ Museum National d’Histoire Naturelle ”, Paris. Type locality Brazil. [Rio de Janeiro, according to Valenciennes (1855: 12).] Geographic distribution East coast of the Americas, from Southern Florida? (Bayer 1961) to Brazil: from Maranhão State (Pérez 2005); from Bahia State to Rio Grande do Sul State (Figure 1). Remarks The identification of these specimens led to two main considerations: whether or not they belong to a single species; and if they were similar to North Atlantic forms. The high variability of colonies and sclerites would suggest at first that many species were present. However, there are series of intermediate forms between extremes. Furthermore, sets of character states (such as branching and sclerite form) do not cluster specimens together in regular patterns (for instance, profusely ramified colonies and elongated sclerites). The extreme variation can be inter- or intrapopulational. Therefore, it is not possible at the present to maintain these “ Brazilian species ” as separate. Indeed, it has been stated before (Verrill 1912: 400) that the examination of series of specimens of Gorgonia pumicea Milne-Edwards and Haime, 1857 [= Leptogorgia rathbunii Verrill, 1912, according to Bayer (1961: 204)] and Leptogorgia rubropurpurea Verrill, 1912 [= Leptogorgia hebes Verrill, 1912, according to Bayer (1961: 207)] might show that they are variations of a single species. The second consideration led to the comparison of specimens from Brazil and the North Atlantic. The latter have groups of specimens with some regular features, with sizeable gaps between them, making it possible to distinguish different species. Species with symmetrically tuberculated spindles and capstans to which Brazilian and north-western Atlantic specimens have been assigned are: Gorgonia purpurea Pallas, 1766 (Wright and Studer 1889: 150; Deichmann 1936: 183); Gorgonia miniata Milne-Edwards and Haime, 1857 (Tixier-Durivault 1970: 158); Gorgonia pumicea Milne-Edwards and Haime, 1857 (Bayer 1961: 207); Leptogorgia hebes Verrill, 1912 (Bayer 1961: 208); and Lophogorgia barbadensis Bayer, 1961 (Tixier-Durivault 1970: 158).	en	Castro, C. B., Medeiros, M. S., Loiola, L. L. (2010): Octocorallia (Cnidaria: Anthozoa) from Brazilian reefs. Journal of Natural History 44 (13 - 14): 763-827, DOI: 10.1080/00222930903441160, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00222930903441160
554D1963FFD8FFD7FEEAF2EC0B0564E8.taxon	description	Leptogorgia hebes, from the North Atlantic, seems to have a regular set of colony and sclerite characters, enough to differentiate it from the Brazilian specimens. It occurs in the Gulf of Mexico and along the east coast of the USA. It possesses terminal twigs thicker (up to 2 mm) than those of L. punicea and the outer layer sclerites are always double cones with rounded ends (Bayer 1961). Leptogorgia barbadensis has very characteristic long and slender sclerites. It was reported for the Abrolhos Reefs by Tixier-Durivault (1970). The collections studied have only specimens of L. punicea from these reefs. The brief original description of Gorgonia pumicea (from Brazil’s coast), as well as fragments of syntypes from the Museum National d’Histoire Naturelle, Paris, agrees well with the characteristics of many specimens described here. The main question, then, is the identity of North Atlantic forms. The North Atlantic specimens studied here have lower calyces, more slender branches, and sparser ramification than Brazilian specimens. Larger series of specimens from the North Atlantic are necessary to evaluate fully if these differences are constant and sufficient to separate these forms geographically into different species. Bayer (1961) emended the spelling of the epithet used by Milne-Edwards and Haime (1857) (“ pumicea ”), to the spelling of the nomen nudum of Valenciennes (1855) (“ punicea ”). He stated that: (1) the sense of the adjective pumiceus (soft stone) would not be applicable to the species; on the other hand, Valenciennes’ epithet (puniceus = red) would; (2) Milne-Edwards and Haime mentioned Valenciennes’ “ species ” and the latter was incorrectly spelled both in the species header and the synonym list; and (3) a similar mistake was present in other instances in the same publication of Milne- Edwards and Haime. Such an emendation is consistent with the article 32.5 of the “ International Code of Zoological Nomenclature ” (International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature 2000) and, therefore, the spelling “ punicea ” is herein retained.	en	Castro, C. B., Medeiros, M. S., Loiola, L. L. (2010): Octocorallia (Cnidaria: Anthozoa) from Brazilian reefs. Journal of Natural History 44 (13 - 14): 763-827, DOI: 10.1080/00222930903441160, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00222930903441160
554D1963FFD4FFD5FE70F6F90EAB65F8.taxon	description	(Figures 1, 16 B, B′, 18) For the synonymy previous to 1961, see Lophogorgia violacea in Bayer (1961: 199, text-fig. 59 a – i, pl. VII, figs. 1 – 3).	en	Castro, C. B., Medeiros, M. S., Loiola, L. L. (2010): Octocorallia (Cnidaria: Anthozoa) from Brazilian reefs. Journal of Natural History 44 (13 - 14): 763-827, DOI: 10.1080/00222930903441160, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00222930903441160
554D1963FFD4FFD5FE70F6F90EAB65F8.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis Colonies deep violet red, dichotomously branching (rarely irregularly pinnate), small, with relatively long, flexible branches. Coenenchymal mounds almost absent, on opposite sides of branchlets. Spicules of coenenchymal cortex mostly as blunt capstans. Anthocodial armature poorly developed, with colourless rods in eight longitudinal series; each series with sclerites in single or double rows. Neck zone conspicuous and free of sclerites. Coenenchymal sclerites: red. Anthocodial rods colour: colourless (emended from Bayer 1961: 199, because of a larger series of specimens studied – see Remarks). Description Colonies dichotomously branching (rarely irregularly pinnate), with long, flexible, upward curving branches (Figure 16 B). Branch thickness decreases gradually from colony basis to apex (basis 2 – 3 mm, terminal twigs 0.6 – 1.2 mm). Polyps in irregular rows along the whole colony, approximately on opposite sides of the distal part of branches (Figure 16 B′). Coenenchymal mounds low or almost absent. Areas free of polyps between rows may show longitudinal groove on lower parts of the colony. Outer layer of coenenchyme mostly with blunt capstans (0.06 – 0.09 mm long) (Figure 18 C). Axial sheath with girdled spindles (commonly 0.12 mm long) (Figure 18 D). Anthocodial armature with few sclerites, arranged in eight longitudinal series on body wall (equivalent to points), usually single or double (Figure 18 A); no collaret; no sclerites on tentacles; neck zone conspicuous. Anthocodial sclerites as flattened rods, with irregularly dented margins and spatulate ends (usually 0.06 mm long and up to 0.07 mm long) (Figure 18 B). Colonies up to 122 mm high, 94 mm wide and 7 mm deep. Colony colour: deep violet red. Coenenchymal sclerites: red. Anthocodial rods colour: colourless. Material Brazil: Espírito Santo (MNRJ 02715, 02722, 00368, 00634, 03969); Rio de Janeiro (MNRJ 5067, 5073, 5076, 5081; USNM 17329, 50225). Type depository As with other types from Pallas, it is probably lost (see remarks on missing Pallas’ types in Simpson 1910); Deichmann 1936: 79 – 80; 159 – 160; 178 – 179; 181 – 183; 198; 201; 212 – 213; 259; 262). Type locality “ Mare Americanum ” (Pallas 1766). Geographic distribution Eastern coast of Brazil (Espírito Santo and Rio de Janeiro States) (Figure 1). Remarks This is a poorly known species. It has been illustrated before only by Esper (1796: pl. 43) and Bayer (1961: text-fig. 59 a – i, pl. VII, figs, 1, 3). The description by Bayer (1961) was based on two lots (three specimens). A larger series of specimens showed that his description was not representative of the species. The diagnosis is hereby thoroughly emended.	en	Castro, C. B., Medeiros, M. S., Loiola, L. L. (2010): Octocorallia (Cnidaria: Anthozoa) from Brazilian reefs. Journal of Natural History 44 (13 - 14): 763-827, DOI: 10.1080/00222930903441160, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00222930903441160
554D1963FFD6FFD2FE77F7EC0EFC67CB.taxon	description	(Figures 1, 16 C, C′, 19)	en	Castro, C. B., Medeiros, M. S., Loiola, L. L. (2010): Octocorallia (Cnidaria: Anthozoa) from Brazilian reefs. Journal of Natural History 44 (13 - 14): 763-827, DOI: 10.1080/00222930903441160, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00222930903441160
554D1963FFD6FFD2FE77F7EC0EFC67CB.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis Colonies pink or dull yellow, flattened, sparsely branching up to the third level. Coenenchymal mounds low or absent, laterally flattened, slightly conical or round. Coenenchymal sclerites colourless or light pink Anthocodial armature poorly developed, with flattened rods sparsely distributed on polyp walls. Description Colonies up to 252 mm high (holotype 143 mm high), 171 mm wide, flattened, sparsely branching up to the third level, diverging from both sides of main stem and branches (Figure 16 C). Trunks up to 54 mm long (holotype 23 mm long), 2.2 mm thick near basis. Main branches slightly curved, up to 151 mm long (holotype 116 mm long), 2.2 mm thick with polyp mounds, and 1.9 mm thick without polyp mounds; more slender towards distal end (1.1 mm thick with polyp mounds and 0.8 mm without polyp mounds). Secondary branches almost straight, up to 79 mm long, 1.0 mm thick at basis; up to 1.8 mm thick with polyp mounds and 1.0 mm thick without polyp mounds near basis; up to 0.9 mm thick with polyp mounds and 0.8 mm thick without polyp mounds near end. Terminal twigs almost straight, up to 37 mm long, 0.6 mm thick at basis; up to 1.1 mm thick with polyp mounds and 0.6 mm thick without polyp mounds near basis; up to 0.8 mm thick with polyp mounds and 0.6 mm thick without polyp mounds near end. Polyps mainly in two lateral rows, very rarely on other sides of trunk and branches; almost always alternate, opposite in some few areas. Branches with thickened ends (up to 1.8 mm) because of the presence of two opposite polyp mounds (Figure 16 C′). Polyp mounds low (up to 0.5 mm high by 2.4 mm wide) or absent, laterally flattened, slightly conical or round; distance between polyp mounds from 4.5 mm (near the basis of main branches) to almost contiguous; four to eight polyp mounds per centimetre. Trunk, near basis of colony, without polyp mounds. Coenenchyme of distal branches mostly with acute spindles with densely set tubercles (up to 0.17 mm long, Figure 19 A); basal branches mostly with smaller blunt spindles and capstans (Figure 19 B). Axial sheath with similar sclerites, but with smaller and sparser tubercles: acute spindles in distal branches (Figure 19 C), blunt spindles and capstans in basal branches (Figure 19 D). Polyps with flattened rods, with crenate margins (up to 0.12 mm long, Figure 19 E), sparsely distributed on polyp walls. Colony colour (fixed in alcohol) pink or dull yellow; coenenchymal sclerites colourless or light pink; anthocodial rods colourless. Axis brownish, slightly fibrous. Material Holotype. Brazil: Rio de Janeiro, off north of São Tomé Cape (21 ° 38 ′ 57 ′′ S, 040 ° 10 ′ 47 ′′ W) (MNRJ 05083, 100 – 180 m) (Figure 1). Paratypes. Brazil: Bahia, one specimen, Abrolhos Reefs (YPM 1516 specimen c – former syntype of Pterogorgia gracilis Verrill, 1868 a); Espírito Santo, four specimens, off mouth of Doce River (19 ° 45 ′ 00 ′′ S, 039 ° 31 ′ 38 ′′ W) (MNRJ 04910, 66 – 68 m) (Figure 1). Etymology From the Greek pseudos (false) and the Latin gracilis (slender). The name refers to the fact that a specimen of this species was formerly included among the syntypes of Pterogorgia gracilis Verrill, 1868. Remarks Other species of Leptogorgia recorded from Brazilian waters differ from the present specimens mainly in the following points. • L. violacea has thicker branches that strongly curve upwards and run nearly parallel to each other.	en	Castro, C. B., Medeiros, M. S., Loiola, L. L. (2010): Octocorallia (Cnidaria: Anthozoa) from Brazilian reefs. Journal of Natural History 44 (13 - 14): 763-827, DOI: 10.1080/00222930903441160, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00222930903441160
554D1963FFD6FFD2FE77F7EC0EFC67CB.taxon	description	• L. punicea has profusely branched colonies, with thicker branches and conspicuous, close-set polyp mounds. • L. miniata has colonies somewhat similar to L. pseudogracilis, but its anthocodial rods are longer (0.14 – 0.19 mm) than its coenenchymal spindles. These anthocodial rods are arranged in multiple rows on the points of the crown. The description by Tixier-Durivault (1970) of specimens from the Abrolhos area as Leptogorgia barbadensis agrees with the characteristics of the specimens herein described. However, L. barbadensis, from the Caribbean, has very peculiar sclerites, with very long and slender anthocodial rods and inner coenenchymal spindles (Bayer 1961: fig. 59 j – l). Other species of Leptgorgia with symmetrically developed tuberculation have been described from the western Atlantic Ocean. Leptogorgia cardinalis (Bayer 1961), described from Florida and Cuba, has dark orange-red colonies, with colourless or amber-yellow sclerites, and anthocodial rods as long as the acute spindles (Bayer 1961). Leptogorgia hebes (Verrill, 1869), from North Carolina to Texas [the specimens of Bayer (1961) from Brazil herein considered as L. punicea], has profusely branched colonies, polyps in alternating double rows on terminal twigs and sclerites as blunt, ovate capstans (Bayer 1961). The description by Carpine and Grasshoff (1975) of coenenchymal sclerites of Leptogorgia sarmentosa (Esper, 1791), from the Mediterranean Sea, agrees with the characteristics of our specimens – mainly acute spindles in apical and blunt spindles and capstans in basal branches. The pink colour of the coenenchyme has been recorded (as a rare condition) in Mediterranean specimens [Weinberg (1976), as L. ceratophyta (Linnaeus, 1758)]. Grasshoff (1992) showed that L. sarmentosa is a highly variable species, occurring in the Atlantic from the Gulf of Biscay to Morocco. He presented detailed illustrations of several colony – sclerite combinations of L. sarmentosa, which clearly differ from those of Brazilian specimens. It is unlikely that our specimens belong to L. sarmentosa. Grasshoff (1992) also stated that no amphi-Atlantic species of gorgonian has been recorded so far. Indeed, none of the 28 European and West African species of Leptogorgia reviewed by Grasshoff (1992) resembles L. pseudogracilis. The specimens studied here do not possess spindles or capstans with partially fused tubercles, as described in L. setacea (Pallas, 1766) and other species of Leptogorgia sensu Bayer, 1961. A specimen from lot MNRJ differed in comparison to other colonies from this lot and to the specimen in lot MNRJ 05083. This specimen was more slender (252 mm high and 80 mm wide) and less ramified (only to the second level). It also had very low or almost absent polyp mounds (up to 0.4 mm high), which gives a much less flattened aspect to the branches. These variations were not considered strong enough to separate these specimens into a different species or to classify them in any other species of Leptogorgia.	en	Castro, C. B., Medeiros, M. S., Loiola, L. L. (2010): Octocorallia (Cnidaria: Anthozoa) from Brazilian reefs. Journal of Natural History 44 (13 - 14): 763-827, DOI: 10.1080/00222930903441160, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00222930903441160
554D1963FFD2FFD1FE6FF3AC0E436317.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis Small Gorgoniids, with loosely pinnate branching, rarely anastomosing. Polyps biserial, usually alternate, retractile within hemispherical coenenchymal mounds, coenenchymal sclerites including scaphoids with convex surface weakly undulated and acute spindles with compound tubercles in whorls; anthocodiae armed with small flat rods with more or less distinctly spatulate ends (Bayer 1981 c: 922). Type species	en	Castro, C. B., Medeiros, M. S., Loiola, L. L. (2010): Octocorallia (Cnidaria: Anthozoa) from Brazilian reefs. Journal of Natural History 44 (13 - 14): 763-827, DOI: 10.1080/00222930903441160, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00222930903441160
554D1963FFD2FFCEFE83F1890EC16595.taxon	description	(Figures 1, 20 A, A′, 21)	en	Castro, C. B., Medeiros, M. S., Loiola, L. L. (2010): Octocorallia (Cnidaria: Anthozoa) from Brazilian reefs. Journal of Natural History 44 (13 - 14): 763-827, DOI: 10.1080/00222930903441160, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00222930903441160
554D1963FFD2FFCEFE83F1890EC16595.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis Similar to the genus diagnosis. The genus is currently considered monotypic. Description Colonies small, multiplanar with short, more rigid branches or planar with long, less flexible branches; sparsely lateral or loosely pinnate branching (Figure 20 A). Branches variable, from round or nearly so in transverse section (1 – 2 mm thick) to flattened. Coenenchymal mounds from distinctly convex, laterally flattened structures, sometimes acute on top, to absent or as slight swelling of coenenchyme around polyp apertures; coenenchymal mounds often with colour different from surrounding coenenchyme. Polyps in longitudinal rows on opposite sides of branches (Figure 20 A′). Usually, coenenchymal mounds of adjacent polyps contiguous on the upper part of colonies, while lower part of colonies without polyps. Coenenchyme with scaphoids and tuberculated spindles (up to 0.18 mm long) (Figure 21 B, D). Larger scaphoids (up to 0.18 mm long) slightly curved, with tapering ends (although sometimes with blunt ends) and massive tubercles on concave side and several kinks on convex side. Smaller scaphoids (c. 0.1 mm long) with smoother convex side and ends more rounded. Spindles with tubercles similar to those of concave side of scaphoids, a stout axis, and tapering towards both ends. Anthocodial armature mainly with small, simple rods, cigar-shaped or with median waist; and extremities with small granules clustered near the ends of rods and lobed or dented margins or with no conspicuous protuberances or other prominent sculptures; these may be slightly flattened (up to about 0.07 mm long) (Figure 21 A, C). Largest elongated colony size: 180 mm high, 80 mm wide and 22 mm deep; basis 2.8 mm thick; transverse section of terminal branches about 1.9 × 0.8 mm. Similar measurements on largest bushy specimen: 78 mm high, 73 mm wide, 68 mm deep; basis 2.5 mm thick; transverse section of terminal branches about 1.4 × 0.9 mm. Colony colour (live or fixed): all cream white, yellow, all purple, with yellow, purple, or white coenenchymal mounds; or mix of these colours. Sclerites colour: purple, yellow, light yellow, or colourless. Material Brazil: Paraíba (USNM 50228); Bahia (MNRJ 01837, 02753, 04306, 04308, 04309, 04315, 04316, 04317; UFPb 291; YPM 1516 a, b, d syntypes of Pterogorgia gracilis Verrill, 1868 a); Espírito Santo (MNRJ 00494, 00495, 00496, 00497, 00499, 00641, 01141, 01142, 03983); Rio de Janeiro (MNRJ 04827). Comparative material Pterogorgia bipinnata Verrill, 1864 – Venezuela, Cumaná (MCZ 5080 – type material). Type depository The original type material is lost (Simpson 1910; Deichmann 1936). Simpson (1910: 326) used a specimen from the Museum of the Royal College of Surgeons (Reg. 184), belonging to an ancient collection (Hunterian Collection and labelled as “ Gorgonia elongata ”, as a reference for the species, which he implicitly designated as neotype. Type locality Abrolhos Reefs, Brazil, collected by C. F. Hartt (Verrill 1868 a: 359). Geographic distribution Off the north-eastern and eastern coast Brazil: recorded off Paraíba, Pernambuco (Tixier-Durivault 1970), Bahia (Abrolhos area), Espírito Santo and Rio de Janeiro States (Tixier-Durivault 1970: proximity of Guanabara Bay) (Figure 1). Remarks Several authors (Kükenthal 1924: 354; Bielchowsky 1929: 222; Deichmann 1936: 175, 195) compared Pterogorgia gracilis, with Pterogorgia bipinnata Verrill, 1864 (= Pseudopterogorgia Kükenthal, 1919). However, sclerites of these species are clearly different, as well as their colony forms. The scaphoids of P. bipinnata possess fused tubercles on the convex side, forming continuous transversal ridges; its ramification is profuse and regularly pinnate along main stems. Bayer’s specimens of Pseudopterogorgia marcgravii are juvenile colonies (Bayer 1961). Larger colonies deposited in the Museu Nacional, Rio de Janeiro, agree in detail in sclerite form and size, distribution of polyps and most colonial characters. Bayer (1961: 255) stated that polyps are 2 – 4 mm apart, but later (Bayer 1981 c: 922) did not mention this characteristic in the diagnosis of a new genus, Olindagorgia, for which Pseudopterogorgia marcgravii is the type species by original monotypy. Furthermore, the distance between coenenchymal mounds cannot be taken as a reliable character because several paratypes of P. marcgravii (USNM 50229) possess contiguous coenenchymal mounds. Type specimens of Pterogorgia gracilis Verrill, 1868 a showed diagnostic characteristics of Olindagorgia. Some specimens had rounded or flattened branches, different degrees of stoutness of coenenchymal scaphoids and spindles, and different states of sculpture of anthocodial rods. Large series of specimens showed intermediate forms or specimens with both character states. As we could not find any discontinuous characters to distinguish Olindagorgia marcgravii from O. gracilis, their synonymy is hereby proposed.	en	Castro, C. B., Medeiros, M. S., Loiola, L. L. (2010): Octocorallia (Cnidaria: Anthozoa) from Brazilian reefs. Journal of Natural History 44 (13 - 14): 763-827, DOI: 10.1080/00222930903441160, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00222930903441160
554D1963FFCDFFCEFE59F60E0C1567DD.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis Planar colonies. Branching pinnate, ramification pinnate, lax, with branch axes loosely anastomosing. Coenenchyme almost always forming more or less continuous lamina, by filling in meshes of axes net. Coenenchymal sclerites scaphoids with echinulate convex profile, and stout spindles with girdles of tubercles (Bayer 1961: 271). Type species Gorgonia dilatata Esper, 1806, by original designation.	en	Castro, C. B., Medeiros, M. S., Loiola, L. L. (2010): Octocorallia (Cnidaria: Anthozoa) from Brazilian reefs. Journal of Natural History 44 (13 - 14): 763-827, DOI: 10.1080/00222930903441160, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00222930903441160
554D1963FFCEFFCBFE70F3AC0D6E6210.taxon	description	(Figures 1, 20 B, B′, 22) For the synonymy previous to 1961, see Bayer (1961: 272, text-fig. 90, pl. 10, fig. 6).	en	Castro, C. B., Medeiros, M. S., Loiola, L. L. (2010): Octocorallia (Cnidaria: Anthozoa) from Brazilian reefs. Journal of Natural History 44 (13 - 14): 763-827, DOI: 10.1080/00222930903441160, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00222930903441160
554D1963FFCEFFCBFE70F3AC0D6E6210.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis Similar to the genus, which is currently monotypic. Description Planar colonies. Branch axes almost always anastomose forming nets. Coenenchyme almost always forming more or less continuous lamina, by filling in meshes of axes net. (Figure 20 B, B′). Lamina continuity variable, from almost whole colony surface to absence of lamina (and / or anastomosis) – absence of lamina very rare state, observed in a single colony UFPb 273); discontinuities in the lamina common. Colony basis spreads forming a holdfast that secures onto solid substrates. Branches thick (for a gorgoniid), at least 2 mm thick, and rounded when lamina absent. Coenenchyme smooth and polyps retract directly into it. Outer coenenchyme sclerites in two not clearly delimited layers. External layer mainly with scaphoids and internal with double cones. Scaphoids (Figure 22 A) usually with rounded ends and convex side smooth or sinuous (Figure 22 B), forming undulations perpendicular to sclerite axis; convex side undulations correspond to series of tubercles of concave side (Figure 22 C); surface of undulations commonly with small lumps. Double cones (Figure 22 D) stouter than scaphoids, with densely distributed tubercles. Scaphoids commonly smaller than double cones (maximum length 0.14 – 0.18 mm and 0.19 – 0.25 mm respectively). No coenenchymal mounds; sometimes a slight elevation around polyp aperture, possibly because of colony contraction. Polyps on both sides of lamina without special arrangement (Figure 20 B′); on all sides of rounded branches. Anthocodial armature weak or absent. Anthocodial sclerites very small rods (c. 0.05 mm long), with a ring of small protuberances on each end. Colony size up to 650 mm high, 470 mm wide and lamina 2 – 4 mm thick. Colonies (live or fixed) colour: white, cream, yellow, violet, or a mixture of these colours; violet colonies seem “ stressed ” (parts of the coenenchyme missing, colonies contorted, etc.). Sclerites colour similar to colony. Material Brazil: Maranhão (MNRJ 02710, 03279); Ceará (MNRJ 00461); Pernambuco (MNRJ 00477, 00979; USNM 5258, 5305, 5307, 5308); Bahia (USNM 05248, 05304; YPM 1514, 4505, 4506; MNRJ 00462, 00466, 00886, 01185, 01396, 01687, 01688, 01981, 02202, 02724, 02727, 02740, 03152; UFPb 273, 276, 280, 283, 287, 292); Espírito Santo (MNRJ 00463, 00493, 00636, 00638, 01145, 01146, 02513, 02709); Rio de Janeiro (MNRJ 00185, 00186, 00464, 00465, 00467, 00468, 00478, 03991, 04336). Type depository The specimen is probably lost (Deichmann 1936: 202; Grasshoff 1991: 344). Type locality Esper (1806: 26) stated that his specimens probably came from South American seas (“ wahrscheinlich das Meer des südlichen America ”). Geographic distribution Off and along the coast of Brazil (here recorded from Fortaleza, CE, to Cape Frio, RJ), Manoel Luiz Reef (Leão-de-Moura et al. 1999), Atol das Rocas, Fernando de Noronha and Trindade Island (Lobo 1919) (Figure 1). Remarks This species is unique because of its colonial structure – anastomosing axes with coenenchyme filling in the meshes to form continuous sheets (lamina) where the polyps are positioned. The “ abnormal ” colonies that do not anastomose nor fill in the meshes can easily be distinguished from colonies of other Brazilian species with scaphoids by the distribution of polyps all around branches and by the thicker coenenchyme. The continuity of the lamina seems to be related to hydrodynamic characteristics of the microhabitat where the colony stands, such as intensity, direction and uniformity. Most colonies of the same site have similar degrees of lamina continuity, but sometimes much lacerated colonies are found a few steps away from colonies with more continuous lamina.	en	Castro, C. B., Medeiros, M. S., Loiola, L. L. (2010): Octocorallia (Cnidaria: Anthozoa) from Brazilian reefs. Journal of Natural History 44 (13 - 14): 763-827, DOI: 10.1080/00222930903441160, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00222930903441160
554D1963FFC8FFCAFE05F0A10B496028.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis Elliselid species with tall, flagelliform or bifurcating colonies, in this case with many long, often whip-like terminal branches; spindle- or rod-shaped sclerites only moderately, if at all, longer than the predominant double heads (emended from Bayer and Grasshoff 1995: 633, to include unbranched colonies). Type species	en	Castro, C. B., Medeiros, M. S., Loiola, L. L. (2010): Octocorallia (Cnidaria: Anthozoa) from Brazilian reefs. Journal of Natural History 44 (13 - 14): 763-827, DOI: 10.1080/00222930903441160, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00222930903441160
554D1963FFC8FFCAFE05F0A10B496028.taxon	discussion	Remarks The species included in the genus Ellisella Gray, 1857 were previously distributed among several genera. Simpson (1910: 275 – 278, 307 – 360) put these genera into synonymy, taking as senior and valid Scirpearia Cuvier, 1817, although recognizing that there were doubts regarding the identity of the material studied by Cuvier. Bayer (1955: 214 – 215), using the same arguments as Simpson (1910), reviewed the taxonomic positions of the genus and defined as senior and valid Ellisella Gray, 1857. Later, Bayer and Grasshoff (1994), in a revision of the Ellisellidae, assigned the genus as a subgenus of Ctenocella Valenciennes, 1855. Grasshoff (1999) abandoned the subgeneric classification of Bayer and Grasshoff (1994), returning to the pre- 1994 situation. Bayer and Grasshoff (1994) separated Ellisella and Viminella Gray, 1870 based only on a number of ramifications (identical diagnoses, except for this character). The former would have “ colonies with several or many long, whiplike branches ”, while the latter would have colonies “ flagelliform, unbranched and whiplike or at most with one or a few long, whiplike branches ”. However, our series of specimens includes colonies from unbranched to with up to several (> 10), long, whip-like branches. Therefore, it seems inappropriate to separate these genera at this time.	en	Castro, C. B., Medeiros, M. S., Loiola, L. L. (2010): Octocorallia (Cnidaria: Anthozoa) from Brazilian reefs. Journal of Natural History 44 (13 - 14): 763-827, DOI: 10.1080/00222930903441160, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00222930903441160
554D1963FFC9FFC7FDD9F2BC0E066590.taxon	description	(Figures 1, 20 C, C′, C′ ′, 23) For the synonymy previous to 1961, see Ellisella barbadensis and Ellisella elongata in Bayer (1961: 281 – 287, figs. 93 – 94.	en	Castro, C. B., Medeiros, M. S., Loiola, L. L. (2010): Octocorallia (Cnidaria: Anthozoa) from Brazilian reefs. Journal of Natural History 44 (13 - 14): 763-827, DOI: 10.1080/00222930903441160, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00222930903441160
554D1963FFC9FFC7FDD9F2BC0E066590.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis Colonies unbranched or with up to several branches. Branches long, when present. Sclerites of coenenchyme as capstans and dumb-bells (up to 0.09 mm); proportions of these sclerites vary from colony to colony and depending on position in a single colony. Calyx with same sclerites as coenenchyme, as well as double-cones (up to 0.09 mm). Simple or multiple series of polyps near tips of branches. Coenenchymal mounds from absent to conspicuous, directed towards distal ends of branches (emended from Bayer 1961: 281, 285, to accommodate characters from the new synonymy). Description Colonies up to 50 cm long (one fragment up to 59 cm). Colonies and fragments from flagelliform (Figure 20 C) to having several, long ramifications (up to 14). Basis of colonies as disk that spreads on substrate. Trunk and lower parts of branches cylindrical or flattened, thick (up to 6 mm in diameter). Branches laterally flattened (this flattening being less conspicuous in larger fragments). Branch diameters with calyx up to 1.9 × 1.3 mm near basis (in some fragments up to 4.9 × 4.8 mm) and 0.9 × 0.7 mm near tip of the branch (10 mm). Branches from very flexible to relatively rigid, usually long, arising in upwardly acute angles (occasionally almost at right angles and soon turning upwards). Diameter of branch decreases gradually, without any rough variations. Lateral branches thinner than branch where they originated. Distal ends of branches cylindrical or flattened, up to 2.5 × 1.7 mm thick at a distance of about 1 cm from tip; tips with diameter decreasing rapidly, ending acutely or, occasionally, bluntly. Trunk without polyps, with scattered polyps or with polyps in longitudinal series. Branches may have two bands of one or two longitudinal series of polyps, each or these may be densely distributed in two opposite bands with oblique series of three to seven polyps in proximal part of branches (Figure 20 C′). Two bands without polyps between rows or bands, which may have only one longitudinal groove and be more or less conspicuous. On the distal part of branches (distance over 50 mm long), polyps also in two bands, but in oblique series of two to three polyps (Figure 20 C ′′), occasionally single rows for short distances (five to six polyps); there are two bands without polyps between them, which may be absent or inconspicuous, or may have one longitudinal groove. One colony with one narrow band without polyps and one band with polyps, the latter three-quarters of the colony circumference, with five to seven polyps in each oblique series. Contracted polyps completely retracted into coenenchyme, forming no coenenchymal mounds, as little elevations on coenenchyme (Figure 20 C′), or well developed, slightly turned to distal ends of branches (Figure 20 C ′′). Colonies may also have expanded polyps, turned upwards, longitudinally appressed or apart from coenenchyme. Sclerites of coenenchyme dumb-bells, ornamented with densely distributed tubercles, and capstans with little more sparse ornamentation (both up to 0.09 mm). No remarkable differences between sclerites from outer and middle layers of coenenchyme (Figure 23 A′ F). Sclerites from coenenchymal mounds or near polyp bases as those from coenenchyme (dumb-bells and capstans, up to 0.09 mm), and double-cones with sparser tuberculated ornamentation (up to 0.1 mm) (Figure 23 G – I). In axial sheath, sclerites as those from coenenchyme, but with less developed ornamentation (up to 0.08 mm) (Figure 23 J – L). Polyps with slender rods (up to 0.07 mm) (Figure 23 M), some colonies also with double-cones like these from the calyx, but with more scattered ornamentation (up to 0.12 mm), in column and tentacles. Colonies and sclerites colour white to dark or light orange. Polyps and their sclerites white or same colour as colony. Material Haiti: [MNRJ 1250 (= USNM 74917)]. Brazil: Amapá (USNM 50899); Pará [MNRJ 01249 (= USNM 50904), USNM 50902]; Bahia (MNRJ 01841); Espírito Santo (MNRJ 4132, 04779, 04801, 04802, 04814, 04825, 05002); Rio de Janeiro (MNRJ 00501, 00503, 01357, 01466, 01525, 04816, 04900, 04904, 05934, 05975); São Paulo [MNRJ 00502 (= USNM 73427)]; Rio Grande do Sul (MNRJ 01523, 01524). Comparative material Scirpearia grandis Verrill, 1901 – “ TYPE ” – off North Rock, Bermudas [MCZ 4740 (66 m)]. Type depository According to Simpson (1910) and Deichmann (1936), the original type is lost. Simpson (1910: 326) found a specimen from the Museum of the Royal College of Surgeons (Reg. 184), belonging to a very ancient collection (Hunterian Collection), and labelled as “ Gorgonia elongata ”, which he explicitly designated as a neotype (“ regard this specimen as the type ”). Deichmann (1936) uses the same material as reference, quoting Simpson’s designation. As Simpson’s work fulfils all requisites of article 75 from the International Code on Zoological Nomenclature, we recognize here Simpson’s neotype indication. Type locality “ Oceanus Atlanticus ” (Pallas 1766); “ West Indies ” (Simpson 1910). Geographic distribution Western Atlantic: east coast of Florida (21 – 38 m), north of Gulf of Mexico (75 – 77 m) (Bayer 1961); Antilles (168 – 480 m) (Deichmann 1936); north of South America south to off the Amazon (137 – 201 m) (Bayer 1959), eastern and south-eastern Brazil: from Alagoas (c. 10 ° S) (Tixier-Durivault 1970) to Rio Grande do Sul (c. 30 ° S) States. Oceanic areas in the South Atlantic: Jaseur Seamount, Columbia Seamount, Almirante Saldanha Seamount, and Martin Vaz Island (Figure 1). Remarks The Brazilian specimens of Ellisella were previously included in two species: E. barbadensis and E. elongata (see Bayer 1959). Deichmann’s drawings of the sclerites show only dumb-bells and double-cones for E. barbadensis (Deichmann, 1936: pl. 24, figs. 1 – 19), whereas they also show capstans, besides these forms, for E. elongata (Deichmann 1936: pl. 24, figs. 46 – 48). Accordingly, the presence of capstans should, therefore, differentiate these species. Bayer (1959: figs. 9 – 12; 1961: figs. 93 – 94) endorsed Deichman’s opinion, mentioning that “ the ‘ capstan’ form of the cortical sclerites differentiates Ellisella elongata from E. barbadensis ... ” (Bayer 1961). However, the number of available colonies from the South Atlantic has been considerably enlarged in the last 10 years, making it possible to examine larger series. According to this material, it is impossible to indicate any character to differentiate these two species based on the differences indicated by Deichmann (1936), Bayer (1959, 1961), or any other authors. The capstans and dumb-bells are present together in most colonies. Also, groups of specimens with similar morphological traits (such as colony and polyps shapes) showed variation in the dominance between capstans, dumb-bells and intermediate forms in different parts of the colonies. This great variability of forms of sclerites in the colonies here observed show that this character is not enough to separate E. barbadensis from E. elongata. Accordingly, it seems to be more reasonable to keep all the studied material in a single species.	en	Castro, C. B., Medeiros, M. S., Loiola, L. L. (2010): Octocorallia (Cnidaria: Anthozoa) from Brazilian reefs. Journal of Natural History 44 (13 - 14): 763-827, DOI: 10.1080/00222930903441160, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00222930903441160
554D1963FFC4FFC7FEB5F6240DF467D8.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis Flabellate chrysogorgiids alternately and pinnately branched in one plane, with numerous terminal branchlets much shorter than half the height of fully developed colonies; basal attachment calcified, sometimes with lobate ridges (Bayer and Muzik, 1976: 69). Type species	en	Castro, C. B., Medeiros, M. S., Loiola, L. L. (2010): Octocorallia (Cnidaria: Anthozoa) from Brazilian reefs. Journal of Natural History 44 (13 - 14): 763-827, DOI: 10.1080/00222930903441160, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00222930903441160
554D1963FFC5FFC4FDD7F3AC0D9B6300.taxon	description	(Figures 1, 24 A, A′) Diagnosis Stephanogorgia without sclerites; terminal branches up to 53 mm long (average 6 – 27 mm long); branches originated all over colony; branches of lower region of colony do not reach colony apex; contracted polyps up to 0.8 mm high and 0.9 mm wide. Description Holotype complete colony 87 mm in height, 89 mm in width, with main axis 2 mm in diameter near basis; paratypes 30 – 160 mm in height, 5 – 124 mm in width, with main stem 0.6 – 4.8 mm in diameter at base. Planar colonies (although a few specimens almost bushy), with monopodial pinnate branching, no anastomosis (Figure 24 A). Axes approximately circular in transverse section, strongly calcified on lower parts of colony and with flexible terminal twigs. Axis yellowish to metallic copper-coloured. First ramification 2 – 15 mm from colony bases. Trunk diameter just below first ramification 0.6 – 3.1 mm. Branching may proceed at least up to fifth order. Branches alternate on both sides of main axis, internodes from 0.9 to 15 mm long, measured between successive branchlets, average interval being from 3.1 ± 0.9 to 5.8 ± 3.1 mm. Main axis often bends slightly away from lateral branches forming zigzag course (Figure 24 A). Median branches diameter 0.2 – 1.7 mm, with average in different colonies varying from 0.38 ± 0.10 to 1.05 ± 0.38 mm. Terminal branches maximum length from 12 to 53 mm on different colonies, but on average undivided branchlets from 8.4 ± 2.0 to 27.3 ± 13.3 mm long; terminal branches diameter 0.1 – 0.6 mm, with average in different colonies varying from 0.1 ± 0.02 to 0.43 ± 0.12 mm. Polyps placed biserially along branches, alternating or opposite (Figure 24 A′). Depending upon state of contraction, polyps from nearly cylindrical, trumpet-shaped, conical, to almost globose, rising from branches obliquely towards distal end of branches. Polyps up to 0.8 mm high and 0.9 mm wide; average 0.2 ± 0.06 to 0.46 ± 0.11 mm high and 0.40 ± 0.06 to 0.69 ± 0.08 mm wide. Polyps close-set on distal branches (up to 0.9 mm apart, average from 0.16 ± 0.05 to 0.54 ± 0.27 mm apart), becoming sparser on median (up to 1.6 mm apart, average from 0.2 ± 0.17 to 1 ± 0.4 mm apart), and basal (up to 2.1 mm apart, average from 0.16 ± 0.08 to 0.9 ± 0.6 mm apart) parts of colonies. Density of polyps on terminal branches from 14 to 39 per centimetre (average from 20.9 ± 4.39 to 32.4 ± 3.65 polyps per centimetre). Polyps pale yellow or white, column translucent; polyps and coenenchyme in specimens from Califórnia Reef bright orange. No sclerites. Material Holotype. Brazil: Bahia, Pedra Grande, Parcel das Paredes, 17 ° 44 ′ 44.1 ′′ S, 038 ° 55 ′ 08.7 ′′ W, c. 16 m, collected by B. Segal and C. B. Castro, 19 February 2000 (MNRJ 06071) (Figure 1). Paratypes. Brazil: Bahia, Off Itacolomis Reefs, 16 ° 56 ′ 29 ′′ S, 039 ° 00 ′ 24 ′′ W, 14 – 22 m (MNRJ 03684); “ Salteado de Timbebas ”, 17 ° 25 ′ 34.3 ′′ S, 038 ° 58 ′ 16.6 ′′ W, 23 m (MNRJ 04323); south of Parcel de Timbebas, 17 ° 30 ′ 22.4 ′′ S, 039 ° 00 ′ 47.5 ′′ W, 3.5 – 13 m (MNRJ 04324); Parcel de Timbebas, 17 ° 30.057 ′ S, 039 ° 00.776 ′ W (MNRJ 02844, 02845); Pedra Grande, Parcel das Paredes, 17 ° 44 ′ 44.1 ′′ S, 038 ° 55 ′ 08.7 ′′ W, c. 16 m (MNRJ 04319 – 14 paratypes); Lixa Reef, Parcel das Paredes, 17 ° 46.54 ′ S, 039 ° 01.58 ′ W, 12 m (MNRJ 02954); Lixa Reef, Vigilante, Parcel das Paredes (MNRJ 03064); Parcel das Paredes, 17 ° 52 ′ 37.83 ′′ S, 038 ° 58 ′ 34.15 ′′ W (MNRJ 03169); Popa Verde Reef, Abrolhos Bank, 18 – 20 m (MNRJ 02967); Califórnia Reef, 18 ° 06 ′ 07.8 ′′ S, 038 ° 35 ′ 26.0 ′′ W, 15 – 32 m (MNRJ 04071 – seven specimens; 04318 – 24 specimens); Califórnia Reef, 18 ° 07 ′ S, 038 ° 34 ′ W, 20 – 30 m (MNRJ 04146 – 16 specimens; MNRJ 06000); south-east of Califórnia Reef, 18 ° 34 ′ 00 ′′ to 18 ° 39 ′ 48 ′′ S, 038 ° 04 ′ 00 ′′ to 037 ° 52 ′ 13 ′′ W, 65 m (MNRJ 04823, MNRJ 05994); Espírito Santo, off Doce River, 19 ° 42.626 ′ to 19 ° 43.857 ′ S, 039 ° 26.321 ′ to 039 ° 26.372 ′ W, 100 – 417 m (MNRJ 04221) (Figure 1). Etymology In honour of Cláudio Continentino Ratto, for his help in several field and laboratory stages of the current study and for his keen eye that made him the first to recognize the octocoral nature of these chrysogorgiids while collecting underwater. Remarks Three species were assigned to Stephanogorgia by Bayer and Muzik (1976), namely: S. wainwrighti Bayer and Muzik, 1976, from a depth of 10 m at Fiji Islands, S. diomedea Bayer and Muzik, 1976, from a depth of 37 m at the Philippines, and S. faulkneri (Bayer, 1974), from a depth of 14 m at Palau Islands. The new species, collected at depths of 12 – 239 m at the Abrolhos Bank, Brazil, can be readily distinguished from these by the absence of sclerites in the new species. This is the first record of this genus in the Atlantic Ocean.	en	Castro, C. B., Medeiros, M. S., Loiola, L. L. (2010): Octocorallia (Cnidaria: Anthozoa) from Brazilian reefs. Journal of Natural History 44 (13 - 14): 763-827, DOI: 10.1080/00222930903441160, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00222930903441160
554D1963FFC7FFC4FE33F1840D4F6570.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis Chrysogorgiids branched in one plane, colonies flabellate, lyrate, with long terminal branches. Axis with or without calcareous deposits, becoming very thin and flexible in terminal branches. Coenenchymal mounds biserial or on all sides of terminal and subterminal branches, widely spaced or more crowded terminally. Sclerites present or absent; if present, in the form of very thin double disks or double pads, with finely serrated edges (Bayer and Muzik 1976: 79). Type species	en	Castro, C. B., Medeiros, M. S., Loiola, L. L. (2010): Octocorallia (Cnidaria: Anthozoa) from Brazilian reefs. Journal of Natural History 44 (13 - 14): 763-827, DOI: 10.1080/00222930903441160, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00222930903441160
554D1963FFC7FFC2FE20F7540DF564F0.taxon	description	(Figures 1, 24 B, B′, 25) Diagnosis Trichogorgia with polyps alternating or opposite on lateral sides of branches; polyps small (less than 2 mm high); sclerites on polyps and coenenchyme; polyp sclerites more densely distributed on polyp’s abaxial side; coenenchymal sclerites sparse (margins of adjacent sclerites usually do not overlap). Description Lower parts of axes strongly calcified. Holotype complete colony 200 mm in height, c. 130 mm in width, with main axis 1.4 mm in diameter near basis; paratype (MNRJ 04312) 180 mm in height, 45 mm in width, with main stem 1.2 mm in diameter near basis. Planar colonies, with lateral to almost dichotomical branching, no anastomosis (Figure 24 B). Axes approximately circular in transverse section, strongly calcified on lower parts of colony and with extremely flexible terminal twigs. Axis creamy whitish, with metallic hues. Ramifications exclusively on lower part of colonies. Branch internodes from 6 to 8 mm long, measured between successive branchlets, average interval 7.0 ± 1.5 mm. Median branches diameter 0.3 – 0.5 mm, with average of 0.35 ± 0.08 mm. Terminal branches maximum length from 22 (small colony) to 150 mm in different colonies; on average undivided branchlets 122.2 ± 20.1 mm long; terminal branches diameter 0.1 – 0.2 mm, with average in different colonies varying from 0.12 ± 0.02 to 0.13 ± 0.02 mm. Polyps placed biserially along branches along all branches, alternating or opposite (Figure 24 B′); rarely polyps inclined 45 ° away from polyp rows. Depending upon state of contraction, polyps from nearly cylindrical to almost globose, rising from branches obliquely towards distal end of branches. Polyps up to 0.54 mm high and 0.56 mm wide; average 0.31 ± 0.01 to 0.41 ± 0.12 mm high. Polyps close-set on distal branches (up to 0.8 mm apart, average 0.6 ± 0.01 mm apart), becoming sparser on lower (up to 1.3 mm apart, average 0.70 ± 0.36 mm apart) parts of colonies. Density of polyps on terminal branches from 12 to 21 per centimetre (average 16.5 ± 3.16 polyps per centimetre); denser on median branches (15 to 34, average 27.0 ± 5.3 polyps per centimetre); sparser on main branches (four to eight, average 6.3 ± 2.1 polyps per centimetre). Sclerites as twisted scales on polyps and coenenchyme (Figure 25), 0.03 – 0.25 mm long (average 0.10 ± 0.05 mm long); polyp sclerites more densely distributed on polyp’s abaxial side; coenenchymal sclerites sparse (margins of adjacent sclerites usually do not overlap). Material Holotype. Brazil: Bahia, Lixa Reef, Parcel das Paredes, 12 m, collected by C. C. Ratto, 8 June 1996 (MNRJ 03191) (Figure 1). Paratypes. Brazil: Amapá, off Maracá Island, 03 ° 00.0 ′ N, 048 ° 20.0 ′ W, 117 m (MNRJ 06072); Bahia, Califórnia Reef, Parcel dos Abrolhos, 18 ° 06 ′ 07.8 ′′ S, 038 ° 35 ′ 26.0 ′′ W, 15 – 32 m (MNRJ 04312) (Figure 1). Etymology The epithet refers to the place of origin of the type material (“ Brasil ” in Portuguese). Remarks There are five previously described species of Trichogorgia currently assigned to this genus, namely: T. flexilis Hickson, 1904 (type species), from a depth of about 100 m from South Africa; T. constricta (Hiles, 1899), from Indonesia; T. capensis (Hickson, 1904), from depths of 46 – 73 m in South Africa; T. viola Deichmann, 1936, from a depth of about 80 m from western Tortugas; and T. lyra Bayer and Muzik, 1976, from depths of 23 – 183 m off Yucatan (to the east), Atlantic Central America and Atlantic Colombia. Trichogorgia flexilis can be distinguished from the new species by its polyps being “ very numerous, crowded on all sides of terminal branches and closely set on the sub terminal branches ” and its calyces and coenenchyme “ protected by a great number of calcareous overlapping scale-like spicules, arranged in a single layer ” (Hickson 1904: 223). Trichogorgia capensis and T. lyra can be readily distinguished from the new species because they do not have sclerites. Trichogorgia constricta has polyps much larger [6.5 mm high (Kükenthal 1924)] than all other species. Trichogorgia viola is a species of uncertain identity. It was described from small fragments with almost no polyps [“ most of which [polyps] have been torn off ” (Deichmann 1936)]. Deichmann (1936) also stated that “ the poor condition of the specimens makes it impossible to decide whether they belong to Hickson’s T. flexilis ... or not ”. Final comments A few other species recorded from reef areas in the Caribbean (Bayer 1961) have been collected off Brazil, although not specifically in reef areas. They may be added to the list of octocorals from Brazilian reef or their vicinities in the future. These species include: • Diodogorgia nodulifera (Hargitt; in Hargitt and Rogers 1901), collected off Pará (00 ° 16 ′ N, 044 ° 28 ′ W, off the Amazon River (USNM 55461 [91 m]). • Iciligorgia schrammi Duchassaing, 1870, collected off Pará [Bayer, 1959; 02 ° 35 ′ N, 048 ° 14 ′ W, USNM 50846 – “ Oregon ” Sta. 2063; 00 ° 16 ′ N, 044 ° 28 ′ W, USNM 55257 – “ Oregon ” Sta. 4223 (91 m); 00 ° 17 ′ N, 044 ° 27 ′ W, MNRJ 01255 (former USNM 55258) – “ Oregon ” Sta. 4224 (110 m); 00 ° 18 ′ N, 044 ° 17 ′ W, USNM 55259 – “ Oregon ” Sta. 4226 (273 m)].	en	Castro, C. B., Medeiros, M. S., Loiola, L. L. (2010): Octocorallia (Cnidaria: Anthozoa) from Brazilian reefs. Journal of Natural History 44 (13 - 14): 763-827, DOI: 10.1080/00222930903441160, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00222930903441160
554D1963FFBEFFBCFDC9F2C40C916068.taxon	materials_examined	Material USA: Florida, off Miami (USNM 49691); Texas, Port Isabel (USNM 51966). Puerto Rico (USNM 42597). Curaçao: Caracas Baai (USNM 51273). Suriname (USNM 51478). Brazil: Pará, off the Amazon River (USNM 50581 – 50582); Maranhão, Cedral – Oiteiro (MNRJ 00396), São Luís (MNRJ 03979); Paraíba, Cabedelo – mouth of Paraíba do Norte River (UFPb 295, 300), João Pessoa – Seixas Point (UFPb 299, 301, MNRJ 00156, 00397), João Pessoa – Tambaú (UFPb 297); Pernambuco, Tamandaré (MNRJ 00381, 00398); Alagoas, Coruripe – Dom Rodrigo Reef (MNRJ 03385); Bahia, Camaçari – Praia do Forte (MNRJ 03150), Todos os Santos Bay – ‘ Coroa de Pedra’ (MNRJ 02101, 02774), Morro de São Paulo (MNRJ 01394), off Ilhéus (MNRJ 04711, 20 m), Porto Seguro – Fora Reef (MNRJ 03993), ‘ Alto de Cumuruxatiba’ (MNRJ 01838), Barra de Caravelas (USNM 50377), Lixa Reef (MNRJ 02952, 10 m; MNRJ 02953, 10 m; MNRJ 01843, 16 m), Parcel das Paredes – Pontas Sul (MNRJ 03162), Coroa Vermelha Reef, (MNRJ 02834), Viçosa Reef (MNRJ 02198), Popa Verde Reef (MNRJ 02583, 02750), California Reef (MNRJ 04148, 30 m), south of Abrolhos Bank (MNRJ 02521, c. 35 – 40 m); Espírito Santo, off Itaúnas (MNRJ 02520, 28 m), off Conceição da Barra (MNRJ 04154, 25 m), ‘ Pontal da Regência’ (MNRJ 00395), off Nova Almeida (MNRJ 02517, 36 m), Vitória Seamount (off Vitória) (MNRJ 03997), Guarapari (MNRJ 00382, 3 m; MNRJ 00632; MNRJ 00642, 20 m), Anchieta – Sul Beach (MNRJ 01972), Piúma – Cabritos Island (MNRJ 01140); Rio de Janeiro, off São Tomé Cape (MNRJ 04884), Armação dos Búzios (MNRJ 00153, 5 m), Cabo Frio – Forte Beach (MNRJ 03963), Arraial do Cabo (MNRJ 00393, 4 – 5 m; MNRJ 01701, 01970, MNRJ 04734, 5 m), Niterói – Itaipu Beach (MNRJ 01971), Guanabara Bay – off Paquetá Island (USNM 50376), City of Rio de Janeiro – ‘ Laje de Santo Antonio’ (Ipanema) (MNRJ 00385, 8 – 13 m; MNRJ 01978, 03189, MNRJ 04534, 16 m; MNRJ 04553, 16 m), City of Rio de Janeiro – offshore sewage tubes (Ipanema) (MNRJ 00383, MNRJ 00384, 5 – 8 m), Sepetiba Bay (SB) – Saí Island (MNRJ 00388, 2 m), SB – Águas Lindas Island (MNRJ 00378, MNRJ 01737), SB – Jaguanum Island (MNRJ 00386), Mangaratiba – Cruz Beach (MNRJ 00389, 3 m), Angra dos Reis (MNRJ 01967, 01968, 01485), Grande Island (GI) – Abraão Beach (MNRJ 00150 [under rocks], 00870, 00873), GI – Ponta Grossa do Sítio Forte (MNRJ 00427, 1 – 12 m; MNRJ 1738), GI – Curisco Beach (MNRJ 01969), Ilha Grande Bay (IGB) – Arpuá Point (MNRJ 00391, 1 – 3 m), IGB – Porcos Pequena Island (MNRJ 00387), IGB – Pingo d’Água Island (MNRJ 00151, c. 3 m; MNRJ 00629, 1 m; MNRJ 01974), IGB – Araçatiba de Dentro Island (MNRJ 01061), Parati-Mirim Cove (MNRJ 00390, 1 m); São Paulo, Ubatuba – Flamengo Cove (MNRJ 00154), São Sebastião Channel (MNRJ 00155, 00392, 9 – 13 m; MNRJ 02798, 2 m); Paraná, Mel Island (MNRJ 01980); Santa Catarina, Laranjeiras Island – off Tapera Beach (MNRJ 01094), Florianópolis – Bombinhas Beach (MNRJ 00394), Campeche Island (MNRJ 01462). China: Shangai (USNM 49554).	en	Castro, C. B., Medeiros, M. S., Loiola, L. L. (2010): Octocorallia (Cnidaria: Anthozoa) from Brazilian reefs. Journal of Natural History 44 (13 - 14): 763-827, DOI: 10.1080/00222930903441160, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00222930903441160
554D1963FFBFFFBCFE57F2C10E6165A0.taxon	materials_examined	Material Brazil: ‘ Norte’ [North] (MNRJ 00335); Rio Grande do Norte, off Natal (MNRJ 00334, 05 ° 33.4 ′ S, 035 ° 00.2 ′ W); Bahia, off Parupe (identified by F. M. Bayer as Neospongodes atlantica Kükenthal) (USNM 55655), ‘ Punta da Torque’ (identified by F. M. Bayer as N. atlantica Kükenthal) (USNM 56678), Salvador (MNRJ 02678, 03390, 03818), Todos os Santos Bay – Itaparica Island (MNRJ 02475), Morro de São Paulo (MNRJ 01393, 01960, 01961), Itacolomis Reefs – ‘ Pedra do Silva’ (MNRJ 04305), Timbebas Reefs (MNRJ 02848, 04304), Lixa Reef (MNRJ 01842, 01962, 02948), Paredes Reef (MNRJ 03062), Parcel dos Abrolhos (MNRJ 04877), Abrolhos Archipelago (MNRJ 02738), west of Abrolhos Archipelago (MNRJ 02238, MNRJ 02763, 10 m). Comparative material Neospongodes portoricensis (Hargitt; in Hargitt and Rogers 1901) – Cuba: off Havana (identified by F. M. Bayer) (USNM 7184); Puerto Rico? (identified by E. Deichmann) (USNM 43777); Barbados: northwest of ‘ Pelican Island’ (identified by F. M. Bayer) (USNM 49521), west coast of Barbados, (identified by F. M. Bayer) (USNM 52525); Surinam: off Paramaribo (identified as Neospongodes sp. by F. M. Bayer) (USNM 55649).	en	Castro, C. B., Medeiros, M. S., Loiola, L. L. (2010): Octocorallia (Cnidaria: Anthozoa) from Brazilian reefs. Journal of Natural History 44 (13 - 14): 763-827, DOI: 10.1080/00222930903441160, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00222930903441160
554D1963FFBFFFBCFE57F2C10E6165A0.taxon	description	Siphonogorgia caribaea (Deichmann, 1936) – Barbados: west coast (identified by F. M. Bayer) (USNM 52532); northwest of Gulf of Mexico, edge of continental shelf (identified by F. M. Bayer) (USNM 51592). Siphonogorgia agassizi (Deichmann, 1936) – 27 ° 02 ′ N, 082 ° 32 ′ W, Gulf of Mexico [identified by F. M. Bayer (1953) as Neospongodes agassizi Deichmann (see Remarks)] (USNM 51015).	en	Castro, C. B., Medeiros, M. S., Loiola, L. L. (2010): Octocorallia (Cnidaria: Anthozoa) from Brazilian reefs. Journal of Natural History 44 (13 - 14): 763-827, DOI: 10.1080/00222930903441160, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00222930903441160
554D1963FFBFFFBBFE40F6910B6763D2.taxon	materials_examined	Material Brazil: Espírito Santo, Santa Cruz (MNRJ 03214), Vila Velha – Sapo Island (MNRJ 4517, 15 m), off mouth of Doce River (19 ° 45 ′ 00 ″ S, 039 ° 31 ′ 38 ″ W) [MNRJ 4909, MNRJ 5075, MNRJ 6021, (these three lots 66 – 68 m)]; Rio de Janeiro, Maricás Islands (MNRJ 02779), Niterói – off Itaipu Beach (MNRJ 00380), Rio de Janeiro – Redonda Island (MNRJ 00504), Rio de Janeiro City – ‘ Laje de Santo Antonio’ (Ipanema) (MNRJ 01977, 03986), Grande Island – ‘ Ponta Grossa de Sítio Forte’ (MNRJ 00508, 8 m; MNRJ 01233, USNM 73432, 8 – 15 m), Ilha Grande Bay (IGB) – Pingo d’Água Island (MNRJ 00631, 6 m; USNM 73569, approximately 6 m; MNRJ 01975), IGB – Portogalo (MNRJ 02746), São Paulo, São Sebastião Channel, ‘ Laje dos Moleques’ (MNRJ 00507, 9 m; USNM 73431, 9 – 13 m), Santa Catarina, Amendoim Island (MNRJ 01460, 7 m), Arvoredo Island (MNRJ 01459, 33 m). Comparative material Heterogorgia papillosa Verrill, 1870 b – Mexico, Gulf of California, La Paz (YPM 8609 – Type specimen).	en	Castro, C. B., Medeiros, M. S., Loiola, L. L. (2010): Octocorallia (Cnidaria: Anthozoa) from Brazilian reefs. Journal of Natural History 44 (13 - 14): 763-827, DOI: 10.1080/00222930903441160, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00222930903441160
554D1963FFBFFFBBFE40F6910B6763D2.taxon	description	Heterogorgia tortuosa Verrill, 1868 b – Panama, off ‘ Pearl Islands’ (YPM 1555 – Syntypes). Heterogorgia verrucosa Verrill, 1868 b – Mexico, Gulf of California (identified by F. M. Bayer) (USNM 56566, 18 m); Panama, off ‘ Pearl Islands’ (YPM 1554 – Syntypes).	en	Castro, C. B., Medeiros, M. S., Loiola, L. L. (2010): Octocorallia (Cnidaria: Anthozoa) from Brazilian reefs. Journal of Natural History 44 (13 - 14): 763-827, DOI: 10.1080/00222930903441160, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00222930903441160
554D1963FFB8FFBBFE61F1D60C4F6412.taxon	materials_examined	Material Brazil: Bahia: off south of Jiquirica River, near Guaibim (MNRJ 02929), off Caravelas – Parcel das Paredes, Pedra Grande Reefs (MNRJ 01869, approx. 17 ° 45 ′ S, 038 ° 55 ′ W, 12 – 16 m, holotype; MNRJ 01835, 12 m, USNM 89263), ‘ Alto de Cumuruxatiba’ (MNRJ 01836, approx. 17 ° 00 ′ S, 039 ° 05 ′ W, 15 – 20 m, paratype; USNM 89264, BM 1992.4.9. l); east of Parcel das Paredes (MNRJ 4032, 17 ° 49 ′ S, 038 ° 55 ′ W), 6 miles off Prado – ‘ Buraco do Bicho’ (MNRJ 01384, approx. 17 ° 20 ′ S, 039 ° 05 ′ W, 16 m, paratype); California Reef (MNRJ 04145, 18 ° 07 ′ S, 38 ° 34 ′ W, 30 m), Abrolhos Bank (AB) [MNRJ 00878, 18 ° 27.4 ′ S, 037 ° 49.4 ′ W, 77 m (actually probably less than 50 m), paratype], AB – Popa Verde Reefs (MNRJ 02749), AB – Lixa Reef, ‘ Vigilante’ (MNRJ 03107), Abrolhos Channel (MNRJ 4341, 17 ° 59 ′ S, 38 ° 51 ′ W); Espírito Santo: off Regência Point (MNRJ 4718, 19 ° 30 ′ S, 038 ° 46 ′ W, 65 m), off mouth of Doce River (19 ° 43.857 ′ S, 039 ° 26.372 ′ W) [MNRJ 04342, MNRJ 05959, (both lots 100 – 417 m)], (19 ° 45.36 ′ S, 039 ° 31.6 ′ W) (MNRJ 04738, 60 m), (19 ° 45 ′ 36 ″ S, 039 ° 31 ′ 05 ″ W) [MNRJ 04939, MNRJ 04940 (both lots 85 – 100 m)], (19 ° 45 ′ 36 ″ S, 039 ° 31 ′ 36 ″ W) [MNRJ 04129, MNRJ 05464, MNRJ 05980 (these three lots, 60 m)], off Itapemirim (MNRJ 02983, 21 ° 09 ′ S, 040 ° 16 ′ W, 82 m).	en	Castro, C. B., Medeiros, M. S., Loiola, L. L. (2010): Octocorallia (Cnidaria: Anthozoa) from Brazilian reefs. Journal of Natural History 44 (13 - 14): 763-827, DOI: 10.1080/00222930903441160, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00222930903441160
554D1963FFB8FFBAFE08F6960C7165F8.taxon	materials_examined	Material Puerto Rico: Vega Baja Beach (identified by F. M. Bayer) (USNM 51931, 2 – 10 feet; USNM 52031, 4 feet; USNM 52193, USNM 52194). Santa Lucia (Antilles): ‘ Gros Inlet’ (identified by F. M. Bayer) [USNM 51416 – Smithsonian Bredin Expedition, Station 64 – 59 (10 – 12 feet)]. Brazil: Paraíba, Cabedelo – Poço Beach (MNRJ 00455, 00457, UFPb 296), Tambaú – Seixas Point (MNRJ 00456, 0.5 m, UFPb 396); Alagoas, Maragogi (MNRJ 00520); Bahia, Mata de São João – Forte Beach (MNRJ 02788), Mar Grande [identified by R. Rathbun as Muricea humilis (Milne-Edwards and Haime, 1857) and by F. M. Bayer as Muriceopsis sulphurea (Donovan, 1825)] (USNM 5289, 5290, 5301, YPM 4510 – holotype of Muricea acropora Verrill, 1912), Morro de São Paulo (MSP) – ‘ Costão do Forte’ (MNRJ 01989, 01990), MSP – Caitá Island, off Terceira Praia (MNRJ 01395), Abrolhos Reefs [identified by A. E. Verrill, in 1912, as Muricea humilis (Milne-Edwards and Haime, 1857) variety humilis] (YPM 1515 a-b) [identified by A. E. Verrill, in 1912, as Muricea humilis (Milne-Edwards and Haime, 1857) variety mutans – used to describe the ‘ new variety’] (YPM 1515 c) [identified by A. E. Verrill, in 1912, as Muricea humilis (Milne-Edwards and Haime, 1857) variety macra – used to describe the ‘ new variety’] (YPM 1515 d), Popa Verde Reef (MNRJ 02585), Parcel das Paredes (UFPb 277, 288), Abrolhos Archipelago (AA) (MNRJ 02739, 10 m), AA – Santa Bárbara Island (MNRJ 00450), AA – off east side of Sueste Island (UFPb 293), AA – off south side of Sueste Island (UFPb 281), AA – off south side of Redonda Island (UFPb 284), AA – ‘ chapeirão’ 4 miles west of Redonda Island (MNRJ 02236, 14 m), Parcel dos Abrolhos (PA) (MNRJ 04588, 04591, 04592, 04594, 04597, all lots 17 ° 58 ′ S, 038 ° 39 ′ W), PA – nearby ‘ Rosalinda’ (MNRJ 00451, 4 – 6 m; UFPb 285), PA – Sebastião Gomes Reef (MNRJ 04593, 04595, 04596), Nova Viçosa – Coroa Vermelha Reef (MNRJ 02725, 02835, MNRJ 04310, 17 ° 57 ′ S, 39 ° 13 ′ W), Viçosa Reef (MNRJ 02197, 02200); Espírito Santo, Vila Velha – Costa Beach (MNRJ 00458, 2 m), Guarapari (G) (MNRJ 00449, MNRJ 00452, 0.5 m), G – ‘ Três Ilhas’ (MNRJ 00447, 3 m; MNRJ 00453, 3 m), G – Setiba Beach (MNRJ 00459, 1 – 2 m), G – ‘ Três Praias’ (MNRJ 00454, 2 – 3 m), G – Castanheiras Beach (MNRJ 00448, 1 m; MNRJ 00637), Meaípe (MNRJ 00640), Ubú – Parati Beach (MNRJ 01144), Piúma – Francês Island (MNRJ 01143), Itapemirim (MNRJ 02262, 21 ° 18 ′ S, 040 ° 28 ′ W, 20 m); Rio de Janeiro, São João da Barra – ‘ Baixio dos Moleques’, off the mouth of Itabapoana River (MNRJ 00460, 1.5 – 4 m). Comparative material Muriceopsis petila Bayer, 1961 – USA: Florida, off Fernandina (USNM 50382, 30 ° 58 ′ 30 ″ N, 079 ° 38 ′ 30 ″ W – Holotype, ‘ Albatross’, Sta. 2668).	en	Castro, C. B., Medeiros, M. S., Loiola, L. L. (2010): Octocorallia (Cnidaria: Anthozoa) from Brazilian reefs. Journal of Natural History 44 (13 - 14): 763-827, DOI: 10.1080/00222930903441160, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00222930903441160
554D1963FFB9FFB9FE62F7EC0D836412.taxon	materials_examined	Material Holotype. Brazil: Ceará: off Iguapé Point and Maceió Point (NOAS # 1693, 03 ° 30 ′ S, 037 ° 56.5 ′ W, 49 m, August – December 1967 one colony plus five fragments) (MNRJ 03281) (Figure 3). Paratypes. Brazil: Ceará – off Acaraú (identified by F. M. Bayer as Muriceopsis sp.) (USNM 55799, 44 m), Bahia, off Todos os Santos Bay (13 ° 04 ′ 30 ″ S, 038 ° 23 ′ 30 ″ W) (MNRJ 05086, 91 m), off Boipeba Island (13 ° 36.67 ′ S, 038 ° 47.212 ′ W) (MNRJ 05082, 40 – 45.2 m), California Reef (18 ° 07 ′ S, 038 ° 34 ′ W) (MNRJ 04147, 20 – 30 m), Hotspur Seamount (18 ° 01 ′ 22 ″ S, 035 ° 53 ′ 28 ″ W) (MNRJ 04131, 60 m); Espírito Santo, Vitória Seamount (off Vitória – 20 ° 34.37 ′ S, 038 ° 03.53 ′ W (MNRJ 04869, 55 m); Rio de Janeiro, off São João da Barra (21 ° 30 ′ S, 040 ° 18 ′ W) (MNRJ 04872, 52 m), (21 ° 31 ′ 00 ″ S, 040 ° 18 ′ 00 ″ W) [MNRJ 4127, MNRJ 4128 (both lots 52 m)] (Figure 3). Other Specimens: Brazil: Maranhão – off Mangabeira Island (NOAS # 1750, 00 ° 04 ′ S, 044 ° 33.5 ′ W, 52 m, August – December / 1967, two fragments, UFPE-DO), off Santana Island (NOAS # 1875, 00 ° 56 ′ S, 043 ° 41.5 ′ W, 49 m, 23 April 1968, two fragments, UFPE- DO), off Tubarão Bay (NOAS N-NEII # 1872, 01 ° 0 ′ S, 043 ° 33.5 ′ W, 50 m, 23 April 1968, two fragments, UFPE-DO); Ceará – off Mundaú Point (NOAS # 1711, 02 ° 25 ′ S, 039 ° 30.5 ′ W, 49 m, two fragments, UFPE-DO), off Paracuru Point (CN # 66, 02 ° 41 ′ S, 039 ° 10 ′ W, 63 m, two fragments, UFPE-DO), off Cumicuará Point (CN # 61, 02 ° 59 ′ S, 038 ° 58 ′ W, 60 m, more than 10 fragments, UFPE-DO), off Pecém Cove (CN # 15, 01 ° 30 ′ S, 038 ° 48 ′ W, 45 – 49 m, one colony + three fragments, UFPE- DO), off Iguapé Cape (CN # 23 and # 26, 02 ° 15 ′ S, 038 ° 15 ′ W, 69 – 72 m; CN # 73, 03 ° 18 ′ S, 038 ° 14 ′ W, 80 m – three lots, more than 70 fragments – UFPE-DO); off Iguapé Point and Maceió Point (NOAS # 1693, 03 ° 30 ′ S, 037 ° 56.5 ′ W, 49 m, August – December 1967, one colony + five fragments, UFPE-DO; CN # 52, 03 ° 40 ′ S, 037 ° 54 ′ W, 54 m, June 1965 to February 1966, more than 10 fragments, UFPE-DO), off Maceió Point (CN # 19, 01 ° 56 ′ S, 037 ° 51 ′ W, 47 – 49 m, June 1965 to February 1966, more than 50 fragments, UFPE-DO; NOAS # 1701 A, 01 ° 57 ′ S, 037 ° 46 ′ W, c. 50 m, more than 10 fragments, UFPE-DO); Rio Grande do Norte – off Três Irmãos Point (NOAS # 1684, 03 ° 59.5 ′ S, 035 ° 53.7 ′ W, 75 m, three fragments, UFPE-DO; NOAS # 1684 A, 03 ° 59.5 ′ S, 035 ° 53.7 ′ W, 140 m, six fragments, UFPE-DO; NOAS # 1684 B, 03 ° 59.5 ′ S, 035 ° 53.7 ′ W, 73 m, four fragments, UFPE-DO); Paraíba – off Lucena Point (NOAS N-NEII # 1858, 06 ° 50 ′ S, 034 ° 44 ′ W, 36 m, 17 April 68, three fragments, UFPE-DO). Comparative material Muriceopsis sulphurea (Donovan, 1825) – see list of studied material under the species heading.	en	Castro, C. B., Medeiros, M. S., Loiola, L. L. (2010): Octocorallia (Cnidaria: Anthozoa) from Brazilian reefs. Journal of Natural History 44 (13 - 14): 763-827, DOI: 10.1080/00222930903441160, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00222930903441160
554D1963FFB9FFB9FE62F7EC0D836412.taxon	description	Muriceopsis flavida (Lamarck, 1815) – Saint John, Virgin Islands, USA (4.6 m), identified by F. M. Bayer (MNRJ 1262). Muriceopsis petila Bayer, 1961, (Paratype) – Tongue of the Ocean, Bahamas (66 m), identified by F. M. Bayer (USNM 50384).	en	Castro, C. B., Medeiros, M. S., Loiola, L. L. (2010): Octocorallia (Cnidaria: Anthozoa) from Brazilian reefs. Journal of Natural History 44 (13 - 14): 763-827, DOI: 10.1080/00222930903441160, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00222930903441160
554D1963FFBAFFB9FE35F6960CE867F2.taxon	materials_examined	Material USA: Florida, Biscayne Bay, Soldier Key (identified by F. M. Bayer) [MNRJ 1269 (ex-USNM 50319)]. Brazil: Maranhão, Parcel do Manuel Luiz (MNRJ 01534, MNRJ 01541); Rio Grande do Norte, outer side of Atol das Rocas (MNRJ 00443, 4 – 10 m); Pernambuco, Fernando de Noronha (YPM 4509 – holotype of Plexaurella obesa Verrill, 1912, USNM 5278 – identified by F. M. Bayer, MNRJ 00980).	en	Castro, C. B., Medeiros, M. S., Loiola, L. L. (2010): Octocorallia (Cnidaria: Anthozoa) from Brazilian reefs. Journal of Natural History 44 (13 - 14): 763-827, DOI: 10.1080/00222930903441160, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00222930903441160
554D1963FFBBFFB8FE79F3AC0E796478.taxon	materials_examined	Material Brazil: Paraíba, ‘ Parahyba do Norte’ (MNRJ 01273), João Pessoa – Tambaú, Picãozinho Reef (MNRJ 00446), Cabo Branco – Seixas Point [UFPb 397 (just below ebb tide level)]; Pernambuco, Candeias (YPM 4503 – holotype of Plexaurella verrucosa Verrill, 1912), Porto de Galinhas – Rasinho do Coiceiro (MNRJ 02754, 30 m); Alagoas, Maragogi (MNRJ 00445), Marechal Deodoro – Frances Beach (MNRJ 02752); Bahia, Mapele (MNRJ 01274), Salvador – Todos os Santos Bay, Monteserrat Point (MNRJ 04002, 12 ° 55 ′ S, 038 ° 31 ′ W), Morro de São Paulo (MSP) – ‘ Costão do Forte’ (MNRJ 01988), MSP – left side of ‘ Costão do Forte’ (MNRJ 01397), Mar Grande (YPM 4501 – holotype of Plexaurella (Pseudoeunicea) grandiflora Verrill, 1912), Periperí Point (YPM 4502 – holotype of Plexaurella pumila Verrill, 1912), Santa Cruz de Cabrália – Coroa Vermelha Point (UFPb 298), Prado – 5 km to the north of Cumuruxatiba (MNRJ 00157, 0.5 m), Abrolhos Reefs (YPM 1597 – holotype of Plexaurella cylindrica Verrill, 1912; YPM 1598 – holotype of Plexaurella braziliana Verrill, 1912), Parcel das Paredes (PP) – Lixa Reef (MNRJ 00435, 3 – 7 m, UFPb 289), PP – ‘ chapeirão’ on the northern border of Lixa Reef (UFPb 278), PP – “ chapeirão ” on the southern border of Lixa Reef (UFPb 275), PP – Ponta Sul (MNRJ 04342, 17 ° 52 ′ S, 38 ° 58 ′ W), Abrolhos Archipelago (AA) – east border of Sueste Island (UFPb 294), AA – south of Sueste Island (UFPb 282), AA – between Siriba and Redonda Islands (MNRJ 01182), Parcel dos Abrolhos (PA) (MNRJ 00436, 5 – 8 m), PA – Popa Verde Reef (MNRJ 02584, MNRJ 04586, 18 ° 01 ′ S, 038 ° 59 ′ W), PA – Sebastião Gomes Reef (MNRJ 04584, 04585, 04587), Viçosa Reef (MNRJ 02199), Nova Viçosa – Coroa Vermelha Reef (MNRJ 02726, 02861); Espírito Santo, Santa Cruz (MNRJ 00431), Vila Velha – Costa Beach (MNRJ 00442, 2 m), Guarapari (G) – Três Ilhas (MNRJ 00438, 3 m), G – Três Praias (MNRJ 00439, 2 – 3 m), G – Setiba Beach (MNRJ 00441, 1 – 2 m, MNRJ 00432, 1 m), G – Castanheiras Beach (MNRJ 00433, 1 m, MNRJ 00437, 0.5 m, MNRJ 00635, 01344), G – Meaípe (MNRJ 00639), G – Três Praias, Meio Beach (MNRJ 03961, 3 m), Piúma – Francês Island (MNRJ 01148, 2 m), Piúma – Cabrito Island (MNRJ 01149), Ubú – Parati Beach (MNRJ 01987), off Itapemirim (MNRJ 02260, 21 ° 18 ′ S, 040 ° 28 ′ W, 22 m); off between Regência (Espírito Santo) and Regência (Rio de Janeiro) (MNRJ 04589); Rio de Janeiro, São João da Barra – off mouth of Itabapoana River, Baixio dos Moleques (MNRJ 00444, 1.5 – 4 m).	en	Castro, C. B., Medeiros, M. S., Loiola, L. L. (2010): Octocorallia (Cnidaria: Anthozoa) from Brazilian reefs. Journal of Natural History 44 (13 - 14): 763-827, DOI: 10.1080/00222930903441160, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00222930903441160
554D1963FFBBFFB7FE1AF6740CD86188.taxon	materials_examined	Material Brazil: Bahia, Parcel das Paredes (PP) (MNRJ 02748), PP – fringe of Lixa Reef (MNRJ 00440 – Holotype, 6 m, USNM 73399, 6 m, paratype), PP – ‘ Vigilante’ of Lixa Reef (UFPb 290), Abrolhos Archipelago (AA) – south side of Sueste Island (UFPb 279 – paratype), AA – Redonda Island (MNRJ 01176), Abrolhos Bank – Popa Verde Reef (MNRJ 2751), Parcel dos Abrolhos (PA) (MNRJ 04580, 04581, 04582, 04583, 17 ° 58 ′ S, 038 ° 39 ′ W), PA – 1 mile east of Santa Bárbara Island [MNRJ 00434, Paratype (4 – 6 m)], north of Parcel dos Abrolhos (USNM 73735, paratype).	en	Castro, C. B., Medeiros, M. S., Loiola, L. L. (2010): Octocorallia (Cnidaria: Anthozoa) from Brazilian reefs. Journal of Natural History 44 (13 - 14): 763-827, DOI: 10.1080/00222930903441160, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00222930903441160
554D1963FFB4FFB7FEA6F2690D9967DA.taxon	materials_examined	Material Brazil: Bahia, Porto Seguro – Fora Reef, ‘ Pedra do Tassepocu’ (MNRJ 03994), Parcel das Paredes – Pedra de Leste (MNRJ 04307, 17 ° 47 ′ S, 039 ° 02 ′ W), Guaratibas – channel between North and South Guaratiba (MNRJ 04333), Abrolhos – Popa Verde Reefs (MNRJ 02575); Espírito Santo, Vila Velha – Sapo Island (MNRJ 04511, 20 ° 19 ′ S, 040 ° 16 ′ W), Guarapari (G) – Castanheiras Beach (MNRJ 00633), G – Três Ilhas Archipelago (MNRJ 03967, 6 m); Rio de Janeiro, ‘ Rio de Janeiro’ (fragments from syntypes of Gorgonia pumicea Milne-Edwards and Haime, 1857 – MNHN), northern coast of Rio de Janeiro State (MNRJ 00369), Armação dos Búzios (AB) (MNRJ 00423), AB – Praia de João Fernandes (MNRJ 00139, 00140, 00141, 00142, 00144), vicinities of Feia Island (MNRJ 00430, c. 15 m), Cabo Frio (CB) – Oratório Point (MNRJ 01982), CB – Forte Beach (MNRJ 03399, 6 m), Arraial do Cabo (AC) – Grande Beach (MNRJ 03675, 30 m), AC – beach on the Cabo Frio Island (MNRJ 00377, c. 5 m), Maricás Islands (MNRJ 00372, c. 10 m), Niterói – Itaipu Beach (MNRJ 00379), Rio de Janeiro (Rio) (USNM 633 – identified by F. M. Bayer), Rio – rocks off Ipanema Beach (Laje de Santo Antônio) (MNRJ 00362, 8 – 15 m; MNRJ 04536, 16 m; MNRJ 04552, 16 m), Rio – Barra de Guaratiba (MNRJ 00257), Sepetiba Bay (SB) – Itacuruçá Island, Gamboa (MNRJ 00367, 1.7 m), SB – Águas Lindas Island (MNRJ 00378), SB – Jaguanum Island (MNRJ 00143, UFPb 394), Barra de Mangaratiba (MNRJ 00373), Mangaratiba – Figueira Point (MNRJ 00371, 3 m), Ilha Grande Bay – Arpuá Point (MNRJ 00375, 1 – 3 m), Grande Island – ‘ Ponta Grossa do Sítio Forte’ (MNRJ 00428, 3 – 12 m; MNRJ 00262), Parati-Mirim Cove (MNRJ 00374, 1 – 3 m), Angra dos Reis (AR), Pingo d’Água Beach (MNRJ 00630, 6 m), AR – Pingo d’Água Island (MNRJ 01976); São Paulo, Caraguatatuba (USNM 57452 – identified by F. M. Bayer), São Sebastião Channel – ‘ Laje dos Moleques’ (MNRJ 00376, 4 – 13 m,); Paraná, Paranaguá [?] (MNRJ 00370); Santa Catarina, Arvoredo Island (MNRJ 2691, 3 m); Rio Grande do Sul, ‘ Parcel do Carpinteiro’ (MNRJ 04522, 32 ° 36 ′ S, 051 ° 47 ′ W, 22 m). Comparative material The following specimens were identified as Lophogorgia punicea (Milne-Edwards and Haime, 1857) by F. M. Bayer: USNM 44228 (off Rebecca Shoal, Florida, USA); USNM 49713 (off Palm Beach, Florida, USA); USNM 51477 (off Surinam). The following specimens were identified as Lophogorgia hebes (Verrill, 1869) by F. M. Bayer: USNM 49589, 50448 (off New River, North Carolina, USA); USNM 50260 (off Longboat Pass, Manatee District, Florida, USA); USNM 44226, 44227, 50053, 50812 (Gulf of Mexico, off Florida, USA); USNM 50531 (off Freeport, Texas, USA); USNM 50412 [(?) Aruba, Antilles].	en	Castro, C. B., Medeiros, M. S., Loiola, L. L. (2010): Octocorallia (Cnidaria: Anthozoa) from Brazilian reefs. Journal of Natural History 44 (13 - 14): 763-827, DOI: 10.1080/00222930903441160, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00222930903441160
554D1963FFB5FFB6FE72F1360B386232.taxon	materials_examined	Material Holotype. Brazil: Rio de Janeiro, off north of São Tomé Cape (21 ° 38 ′ 57 ″ S, 040 ° 10 ′ 47 ″ W) (MNRJ 05083, 100 – 180 m) (Figure 3). Paratypes. Brazil: Bahia, one specimen, Abrolhos Reefs (YPM 1516 specimen c – former syntype of Pterogorgia gracilis Verrill, 1868 a); Espírito Santo, four specimens, off mouth of Doce River (19 ° 45 ′ 00 ″ S, 039 ° 31 ′ 38 ″ W) (MNRJ 04910, 66 – 68 m).	en	Castro, C. B., Medeiros, M. S., Loiola, L. L. (2010): Octocorallia (Cnidaria: Anthozoa) from Brazilian reefs. Journal of Natural History 44 (13 - 14): 763-827, DOI: 10.1080/00222930903441160, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00222930903441160
554D1963FFB5FFB6FE70F3AC0FCC60B8.taxon	materials_examined	Material Brazil: Espírito Santo, Cações Beach (MNRJ 02715, 02722), Guarapari (G) – Três Ilhas Archipelago (MNRJ 00368, 3 m; MNRJ 03969), G – Castanheiras Beach (MNRJ 00634); Rio de Janeiro, off south of São Tomé Cape (22 ° 19 ′ 07 ″ S, 040 ° 49 ′ 34 ″ W) [MNRJ 5067, MNRJ 5073, MNRJ 5076, MNRJ 5081 (these three lots 57 – 60 m)]; Guanabara Bay – Paquetá Island (identified by F. M. Bayer) (USNM 17329, 5 – 7 m), Rio de Janeiro (identified by F. M. Bayer) (USNM 50225).	en	Castro, C. B., Medeiros, M. S., Loiola, L. L. (2010): Octocorallia (Cnidaria: Anthozoa) from Brazilian reefs. Journal of Natural History 44 (13 - 14): 763-827, DOI: 10.1080/00222930903441160, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00222930903441160
554D1963FFB5FFB5FE83F0D90CCB61E8.taxon	materials_examined	Material Brazil: Paraíba, ‘ Parahyba do Norte’, 06 ° 59 ′ 30 ″ S, 034 ° 47 ′ 00 ″ W (USNM 50228 – holotype of Pseudopterogorgia marcgravii Bayer, 1961, USNM 50229 – paratypes of p. marcgravii Bayer, 1961, ‘ Albatross’ Sta. 2758, 37 m); Bahia, Abrolhos Bank (MNRJ 04308), Abrolhos Reefs (YPM 1516 a, b, d syntypes of Pterogorgia gracilis Verrill, 1868 a), Parcel das Paredes (PP) (MNRJ 02753), west of Parcel das Paredes (MNRJ 04306, 17 ° 48 ′ S, 039 ° 00 ′ W), PP – Lixa Reef (MNRJ 04316, 17 ° 42 ′ S, 039 ° 00 ′ W, MNRJ 01837), PP – Lixa Reef, ‘ Vigilante’ (UFPb 291), PP – south of Lixa Reef (MNRJ 04315, 17 ° 45 ′ S, 038 ° 58 ′ W), PP – Areia Reef (MNRJ 04309, 17 ° 36 ′ S, 039 ° 03 ′ W), Sebastião Gomes (MNRJ 04317, 17 ° 54 ′ S, 039 ° 08 ′ W, 4 m); Espírito Santo, Capuba Beach (between Vitória and Vila Velha) (MNRJ 00499, 1 m), Guarapari (G) – Três Ilhas Archipelago (MNRJ 00496, 00497, up to 3 m; MNRJ 03983, 6 m), G – Setiba Beach (MNRJ 00494, ± 2 m), G – Três Praias (MNRJ 00495, ± 3.5 m), G – Meaípe (MNRJ 00641), Ubú – Parati Beach (MNRJ 01142), Piúma – Frances Beach (MNRJ 01141), Rio de Janeiro, off São Tomé Cape (MNRJ 04827, 22 ° 00 ′ S, 040 ° 50 ′ W, 100 m). Comparative material Pterogorgia bipinnata Verrill, 1864 – Venezuela, Cumaná (MCZ 5080 – type material).	en	Castro, C. B., Medeiros, M. S., Loiola, L. L. (2010): Octocorallia (Cnidaria: Anthozoa) from Brazilian reefs. Journal of Natural History 44 (13 - 14): 763-827, DOI: 10.1080/00222930903441160, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00222930903441160
554D1963FFB5FFB5FE83F0D90CCB61E8.taxon	description	Genus Phyllogorgia Milne-Edwards and Haime, 1850	en	Castro, C. B., Medeiros, M. S., Loiola, L. L. (2010): Octocorallia (Cnidaria: Anthozoa) from Brazilian reefs. Journal of Natural History 44 (13 - 14): 763-827, DOI: 10.1080/00222930903441160, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00222930903441160
554D1963FFB6FFB5FE2CF3CC0D1E65B8.taxon	materials_examined	Material Brazil: Maranhão, Parcel do Manuel Luis (MNRJ 02710, 03279), Ceará, Mucuripe Beach (MNRJ 00461); Rio Grande do Norte: off Atol das Rocas (MNRJ 00477, 5 – 12 m); Pernambuco, Fernando de Noronha (FN) (identified as Phyllogorgia quercifolia Dana by R. Rathbun) (USNM 5258, 5307, 5308), FN – Leão Beach (MNRJ 00979), Rio Formoso (identified as Phyllogorgia quercifolia Dana by R. Rathbun) (USNM 5305); Bahia, Periperí (USNM 5304 and 5248 – identified as Phyllogorgia quercifolia Dana by R. Rathbun, YPM 4505 – specimen used to describe a new variety – Phyllogorgia quercifolia Dana variety lacerata Verrill, 1912, YPM 4506 – specimen used by Verrill, 1912, to illustrate Phyllogorgia quercifolia Dana variety quercifolia), Morro de São Paulo (MSP) (MNRJ 03152), MSP – Tinharé Island, Prainha (MNRJ 00886), MSP – Caitá Island, off Terceira Praia (MNRJ 01396), Porto Santa Cruz de Cabrália – off Coroa Vermelha Point (UFPb 273), Porto Seguro – Fora Reef (MNRJ 01688, 01981), Arraial da Ajuda – Mucuri Beach (MNRJ 01687), ‘ Abrolhos Reefs’ (YPM 1514 – types of Phyllogorgia frondosa Verrill, 1912), Parcel das Paredes (PP) (MNRJ 02740), PP – ‘ chapeirão’ off the northern border of Lixa Reef (UFPb 276), PP – Lixa Reef (MNRJ 00466), PP – Lixa Reef, ‘ Vigilante’ (UFPb 287), Abrolhos Archipelago (AA) (MNRJ 02724, 17 ° 46 ′ S, 039 ° 02 ′ W), AA – northern shore of Sueste Island (UFPb 292), AA – southern shore of Sueste Island (UFPb 280), AA – southern shore of Redonda Island (UFPb 283), AA – between Siriba and Redonda Island (MNRJ 01185), Parcel dos Abrolhos – near a wreck indicated in the Brazilian Nautical Chart n. 1300 (MNRJ 00462, 4 – 7 m), Nova Viçosa – Coroa Vermelha Reef (MNRJ 02727), Viçosa Reef (MNRJ 02202); Espírito Santo, Guarapari (G) – Três Ilhas (MNRJ 00463 [± 3 m]), G – Setiba Beach (MNRJ 00493), G – Castanheiras Beach (MNRJ 00636, 02709); G – Meaípe (MNRJ 00638), Ubú – Parati Beach (MNRJ 01145), Piúma – Cabritos Island (MNRJ 01146), Trindade Island – Portugueses Beach (MNRJ 02513); Rio de Janeiro, São João da Barra – ‘ Baixio dos Moleques’, off the mouth of the Itabapoana River (MNRJ 00478, 1.5 – 4 m), Armação dos Búzios (AB) – João Fernandes Beach (MNRJ 00464, 04336), AB – Tartaruga Beach (MNRJ 03991), Cape Frio (MNRJ 00465), Arraial do Cabo (AC) – Saco do Cherne (MNRJ 00468, 4 m), AC – Forno Beach (MNRJ 00185 and 00186, 3 – 4 m), AC – Cabo Frio Island (MNRJ 00467, 4 m).	en	Castro, C. B., Medeiros, M. S., Loiola, L. L. (2010): Octocorallia (Cnidaria: Anthozoa) from Brazilian reefs. Journal of Natural History 44 (13 - 14): 763-827, DOI: 10.1080/00222930903441160, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00222930903441160
554D1963FFB6FFB4FDD9F66C0FCE624A.taxon	materials_examined	Material Haiti: 19 ° 10 ′ 05 ″ N, 069 ° 21 ′ 25 ″ W [MNRJ 1250 (= USNM 74917) – ‘ Caroline’ Sta. 52 (26 – 40 m)]. Brazil: Amapá, off Caciporé Cape, 04 ° 02 ′ N, 050 ° 33 ′ W [identified by F. M. Bayer) (USNM 50899 – ‘ Oregon’, Sta. 2049 (70 m)] Pará, off mouth of Amazon River, 02 ° 40 ′ N, 047 ° 55 ′ W (identified by F. M. Bayer) [MNRJ 01249 (= USNM 50904) ‘ Oregon’, Sta. 2066 (201 m), USNM 50902 – ‘ Oregon’, Sta. 2066 (201 m)]; Bahia: ‘ Alto de Cumuruxatiba’, Laje dos Aprofundados (MNRJ 01841); Espírito Santo, off Regência, 19 ° 37 ′ 48 ″ S, 38 ° 41 ′ 90 ″ W (MNRJ 04801, 04802), off Conceição da Barra, 18 ° 37 ′ S, 38 ° 41 ′ S [MNRJ 04825 (65 m)], off between Regência and Atafona (MNRJ 05002), Jaseur Seamount, 20 ° 36 ′ 15 ″ S, 035 ° 51 ′ 35 ″ W, [MNRJ 4132 (110 m)]; Columbia Seamount, 20 ° 44 ′ S, 031 ° 49 ′ W [MNRJ 04779 (80 m)]; off Martin Vaz Island, 20 ° 30 ′ S, 028 ° 50 ′ W [MNRJ 04814 (180 m)]; Rio de Janeiro, off Campos, 22 ° 00 ′ 24 ″ S, 40 ° 05 ′ 15 ″ W [MNRJ 04816 (100 m)], Almirante Saldanha Seamount, 22 ° 22 ′ S, 037 ° 35 ′ W [MNRJ 04900 (240 m), MNRJ 04904 (500 m), MNRJ 04900, 05934, 05975 (these three lots 240 – 300 m)]; Maricás Islands [MNRJ 01357, MNRJ 01525 (± 20 m)], Rio de Janeiro, Rasa Island [MNRJ 01466 (21 m)], Grande Island, Ponta Grossa de Sítio Forte, 23 ° 06.8 ′ S, 044 ° 17.6 ′ W [MNRJ 00503 (8 m)], Ilha Grande Bay, between 23 ° 11.5 ′ S, 044 ° 28.3 ′ W and 23 ° 13.2 ′ S, 044 ° 34.9 ′ W (MNRJ 00501); São Paulo, São Sebastião Channel, Laje dos Moleques [MNRJ 00502 (= USNM 73427) (9 – 13 m)], Rio Grande do Sul, off Torres, 29 ° 50 ′ S, 048 ° 30 ′ W [MNRJ 01523, MNRJ 01524 (150 m)]. Comparative material Scirpearia grandis Verrill, 1901 – ‘ TYPE’ – off North Rock, Bermudas [MCZ 4740 (66 m)].	en	Castro, C. B., Medeiros, M. S., Loiola, L. L. (2010): Octocorallia (Cnidaria: Anthozoa) from Brazilian reefs. Journal of Natural History 44 (13 - 14): 763-827, DOI: 10.1080/00222930903441160, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00222930903441160
554D1963FFB7FFB4FE15F0B10E2E67C5.taxon	materials_examined	Material Holotype. Brazil: Bahia, Pedra Grande, Parcel das Paredes, 17 ° 44 ′ 44.1 ″ S, 038 ° 55 ′ 08.7 ″ W, c. 16 m, collected by B. Segal and C. B. Castro, 19 February 2000 (MNRJ 06071) (Figure 3). Paratypes. Brazil: Bahia, Off Itacolomis Reefs, 16 ° 56 ′ 29 ″ S, 039 ° 00 ′ 24 ″ W, 14 – 22 m (MNRJ 03684); ‘ Salteado de Timbebas’, 17 ° 25 ′ 34.3 ″ S, 038 ° 58 ′ 16.6 ″ W, 23 m (MNRJ 04323); south of Parcel de Timbebas, 17 ° 30 ′ 22.4 ″ S, 039 ° 00 ′ 47.5 ″ W, 3.5 – 13 m (MNRJ 04324); Parcel de Timbebas, 17 ° 30.057 ′ S, 039 ° 00.776 ′ W (MNRJ 02844, 02845); Pedra Grande, Parcel das Paredes, 17 ° 44 ′ 44.1 ″ S, 038 ° 55 ′ 08.7 ″ W, c. 16 m (MNRJ 04319 – 14 paratypes); Lixa Reef, Parcel das Paredes, 17 ° 46.54 ′ S, 039 ° 01.58 ′ W, 12 m (MNRJ 02954); Lixa Reef, Vigilante, Parcel das Paredes (MNRJ 03064); Parcel das Paredes, 17 ° 52 ′ 37.83 ″ S, 038 ° 58 ′ 34.15 ″ W (MNRJ 03169); Popa Verde Reef, Abrolhos Bank, 18 – 20 m (MNRJ 02967); Califórnia Reef, 18 ° 06 ′ 07.8 ″ S, 038 ° 35 ′ 26.0 ″ W, 15 – 32 m (MNRJ 04071 – seven specimens; 04318 – 24 specimens); Califórnia Reef, 18 ° 07 ′ S, 038 ° 34 ′ W, 20 – 30 m (MNRJ 04146 – 16 specimens; MNRJ 06000); south-east of Califórnia Reef, 18 ° 34 ′ 00 ″ to 18 ° 39 ′ 48 ″ S, 038 ° 04 ′ 00 ″ to 037 ° 52 ′ 13 ″ W, 65 m (MNRJ 04823, MNRJ 05994); Espírito Santo, off Doce River, 19 ° 42.626 ′ to 19 ° 43.857 ′ S, 039 ° 26.321 ′ to 039 ° 26.372 ′ W, 100 – 417 m (MNRJ 04221) (Figure 3).	en	Castro, C. B., Medeiros, M. S., Loiola, L. L. (2010): Octocorallia (Cnidaria: Anthozoa) from Brazilian reefs. Journal of Natural History 44 (13 - 14): 763-827, DOI: 10.1080/00222930903441160, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00222930903441160
554D1963FFB0FFB3FE22F3CC0C096098.taxon	materials_examined	Material Holotype. Brazil: Bahia, Lixa Reef, Parcel das Paredes, 12 m, collected by C. C. Ratto, 8 June 1996 (MNRJ 03191) (Figure 3). Paratypes. Brazil: Bahia, Califórnia Reef, Parcel dos Abrolhos, 18 ° 06 ′ 07.8 ″ S, 038 ° 35 ′ 26.0 ″ W, 15 – 32 m (MNRJ 04312) (Figure 3).	en	Castro, C. B., Medeiros, M. S., Loiola, L. L. (2010): Octocorallia (Cnidaria: Anthozoa) from Brazilian reefs. Journal of Natural History 44 (13 - 14): 763-827, DOI: 10.1080/00222930903441160, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00222930903441160
