Cah. Biol. Mar. (2012) 53 : 429-434 A new species of Sclerobelemnon Kölliker, 1872 from Brazil (Octocorallia: Pennatulacea: Kophobelemnidae) Bárbara M. NEVES 1 and Carlos D. PÉREZ 2 (1) Pós-graduação em Biologia Animal, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Rua Prof. Moraes Rego 1235, Cidade Universitária, CEP:50670-901, Recife-PE, Brazil (2) Laboratório de Biodiversidade, Núcleo de Biologia, Centro Acadêmico de Vitória, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, CEP: 55608 680, Vitória de Santo Antão, PE, Brazil. E-mail: cdperez@ufpe.br Abstract: The pennatulacean genus Sclerobelemnon has previously been distributed in the Indo-West Pacific Ocean, with only one described species from Western Atlantic Ocean. Specimens from an undescribed shallow-water species attributable to this genus (Family Kophobelemnidae) has been collected from Northern Brazil, representing the first record in the country and the most austral record of the family in the Atlantic Ocean. The new species of Sclerobelemnon is distinguished from other closely related species of this genus mostly by having five to six autozooids longitudinal rows, smooth sclerites with digitiform margins, but not serrated, and sclerites absent in the tentacles. Résumé : Une nouvelle espèce du genre Sclerobelemnon Kölliker, 1872 des côtes du Brésil (Octocorallia: Pennatulacea: Kophobelemnidae). La plupart des espèces connues du genre Sclerobelemnon sont signalées dans l océan Pacifique Indo- Ouest, mais ne comprend qu une seule espèce décrite pour l océan Atlantique occidental. Des spécimens d une espèce d eau peu profonde attribuée à ce genre de la famille Kophobelemnidae ont été collectés dans la région nord-est du Brésil, ce qui représente le premier signalement de cette famille sur les côtes brésiliennes ainsi que le signalement le plus austral dans l océan Atlantique nord. La nouvelle espèce de Sclerobelemnon se distingue des autres espèces du genre surtout par la présence de cinq à six bandes longitudinales d autozoïdes, de sclérites lisses avec des marges digitiformes mais non en dents de scie, et par l absence de sclérites dans les tentacules. Keywords: Cnidaria l Octocoral l Sea pen l New record l South America l Taxonomy Introduction The pennatulacean family Kophobelemnidae Gray, 1860 is generally characterized by autozooids irregularly distributed or arranged in indistinct longitudinal rows on Reçu le 6 avril 2011 ; accepté après révision le 16 décembre 2011. Received 6 April 2011; accepted in revised form 16 December 2011. the rachis, and by the absence of polyp leaves (Hickson, 1916). Three genera are recognized in this family: Kophobelemnon Asbjørnsen, 1856, Sclerobelemnon Kölliker, 1872, and Malacobelemnon Tixier-Durivault, 1965 (Williams, 1995). The genus Sclerobelemnon is distributed along the Indo- West Pacific and western Atlantic (Williams, 1995), and it can be regarded as a shallow water genus, as nearly all the
430 NEW SPECIES OF SCLEROBELEMNON FROM BRAZIL specimens known have been obtained of less than 100 metres depth (only one species was found in 472 m) (Hickson, 1916). This genus is characterized by autozooids arranged in two to 20 longitudinal rows along the rachis in two longitudinal series and by having sclerites as plateshaped or bone-shaped, never three-flanged (Williams, 1995). Bayer (1959) described the first record of this genus to Atlantic waters (Trinidad and Surinam) with Sclerobelemnon theseus Bayer, 1959. The Oceanography Department at Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Brazil, has many octocorals samples collected since 1961 from oceanographic surveys along the Brazilian coast, which were stored until now. The recent analysis of this material showed the presence of exemplars of Sclerobelemnon of which characters do not agree with other species already described in this genus. This paper aims to describe a new species of Sclerobelemnon and extend its geographic distribution in the Atlantic Ocean. Material and Methods The specimens were collected from the oceanographic cruise Geomar I, which occurred in 1969 along Brazilian coast, and they were collected in the State of Para in Brazil (01º34 N-48º07 W) at a depth of 67 m. The studied material was preserved in 70% alcohol. The examined material is housed in the invertebrate collection of the Museum of the Oceanography of the Federal University of Pernambuco-UFPE, Brazil. The sclerites were prepared on temporary glass slides and some of them were imaged using a scanning electron microscope (Hitachi S 405-A). Sclerites were measured under a optic microscope using an eyepiece-micrometer. The terminology used is according to Bayer et al. 1983. The holotype is deposited in the National Museum of Rio de Janeiro-MNRJ, paratypes are deposited in the cnidarian collection of the Museum of the Oceanography of the Federal University of Pernambuco-MOUFPECNI and additional material in the cnidarian collection of GPA- Anthozoan Research Group of UFPE. Systematic description Family Kophobelemnidae Gray, 1860 Genus Sclerobelemnon Kölliker, 1872 Type species Sclerobelemnon schmeltzi Kölliker, 1872 Diagnosis See Williams (1995) Distribution and depth Indo-West Pacific and western Atlantic (Gulf of Mexico, Trinidad, Surinam, Red Sea, Indian Ocean, Australia, Papua New Guinea, Malay Archipelago, Philippines, Taiwan, and Japan); 10-472 m in depth (Williams, 1995). Sclerobelemnon castroi sp. nov. (Figs 1-3) Type material Holotype: MNRJ 8133 Comission Geomar I, 1969, st. 54, 01º34 N-48º07 W, 67 m, Paratypes: MOUFPECNI 819, two specimens, with the same sampling data as the holotype. Additional material GPA 157, two specimens, with the same sampling data as the holotype. Description of the holotype The holotype is a small colony, claviform, 4.2 cm long, with the peduncle longer than the rachis (2.4 and 1.8 cm respectively) (Fig. 1A). The distal end is 0.4 cm wide and the proximal end is 0.35 cm wide. The peduncle presents longitudinal grooves, with an incipient bulb. The symmetry of the colony is bilateral, and well defined with a dorsal region free of autozooids composed of a field of siphonozooids disposed in longitudinal rows. There is a thin outer cortex with sclerites and an inner stout and spongy cortex without sclerites. The axis is square-shaped at the proximal portion and rounded at the distal portion. The axis does not reach the end of rachis. The axis is surrounded by a thin horn sheath. Autozooids distributed in five to six alternating longitudinal rows, generating an oblique configuration. They are retracted in conspicuous pseudocalyces (Fig. 1C). Most of the sclerites present in the pseudocalyces are smooth elongated rods, without tubercles or medium constrictions (0.13-0.23 mm) (Figs 2A & 3B), and elongated rods with bifurcated ends, with some tubercle and digitiform marginal projections (foot-shape) (0.16-0.25 mm) (Figs 2B & 3B). Siphonozooids distributed along the entire rachis and disposed in pentagonal calyces giving them a honeycomb appearance (Fig. 1B). In the peduncle, the sclerites are smooth and without ornamentation (Figs 2E & 3A). They are mostly rectangular, biscuit-shape (0.10-0.12 mm), bone-shaped (0.10-0.14 mm), sometimes with the ends digitiform, but never serrated. Crosses and ovals (0.06-0.12 mm) are rare. The crosses present an x in the center. In the rachis there are differences among the sclerites
B.M. NEVES, C.D. PÉREZ 431 Figure 1. Sclerobelemnon castroi sp. nov. MNRJ 8133, preserved specimen. A. Whole colony, Scale bar: 1.0 cm. B. Clump of siphonozooids, Scale bar: 0.2 cm. C. Pseudocalyx, Scale bar: 0.1 cm. Figure 1. Sclerobelemnon castroi sp.nov. MNRJ 8133, spécimen préservé. A. Colonie entière, Echelle : 1,0 cm. B. Groupement de siphonozoïdes, Echelle : 0,2 cm. C. Pseudocalice, Echelle : 0,1 cm. from the dorsal and ventral regions. In the ventral region, the sclerites can be smooth or with tubercles simple and sparse (Figs 2C & 3C). Most of they are rods bifurcated in one of the ends (y-shaped), some with both ends bifurcated (0.11-0.21 mm). Large irregular flattened sclerites with the edges expanded in a digitiform way, some with a medium constriction (0.19-0.30 mm) (Figs 2C-D & 3C) can be also found. In the dorsal region, most of the sclerites are smooth rods, without any ornamentation, and with two sizes (0.06 to 0.10 mm and from 0.14 to 0.27 mm), which form the siphonozooids calyces (Figs 2C & 3C). There are also sclerites with a medium constriction with one or both ends expanded and with sparse tubercles (Figs 2C & 3C). There are not sclerites in the anthocodia and tentacles. Colour preserved: beige Variations There are not significant differences between the holotype and the remaining type and additional examined material.
432 NEW SPECIES OF SCLEROBELEMNON FROM BRAZIL Figure 2. Sclerobelemnon castroi sp. nov. MNRJ 8133. Sclerites. A & B. Smooth rods from pseudocalyx. C & D. Smooth and y- shaped rods from rachis. E. Biscuit and bone-shape from peduncle. Figure 2. Sclerobelemnon castroi sp. nov. MNRJ 8133. Sclérites. A & B. Hastes lisses du pseudocalice. C & D. Hastes lisses et en forme de y du rachis. E. Sclérites en forme de biscuit et d os du pédoncule. Figure 3. Sclerobelemnon castroi sp. nov. MNRJ 8133. Sclerites. A. Ovals, biscuit-shape, bone-shape and crosses from peduncle. B. Smooth rods and foot-shape from pseudocalyx. C. Smooth and bifurcated rods from rachis. Figure 3. Sclerobelemnon castroi sp. nov. MNRJ 8133. Sclérites. A. Ovales, en forme de biscuit, d os et de croix du pédoncule. B. Hastes lisses et en forme de pied du pseudocalice. C. Hastes lisses et bifurqués du rachis.
B.M. NEVES, C.D. PÉREZ 433 The length of the colonies varies between 4.2 and 6.0 cm. The rachis varies between 0.3 and 0.5 cm in width (including the autozooids); and the peduncles between 0.2 and 0.3 cm in width. Etymology The species name is chosen in honor of Prof. Dr. Clovis Barreira e Castro, a pioneer in octocoral taxonomy in Brazil. Distribution At this moment this species is only known from the typelocality, Brazil: Para, at 67 m depth. This is the first record to the genus Sclerobelemnon and family Kophobelemnidae in Brazil, and represents the most austral record of the family in the Atlantic Ocean. Remarks According to Williams (1995) there are eight species known in the genus Sclerobelemnon: S. shmeltzii Kölliker, 1872, S. burgeri (Herklots, 1858), S. gracile (Gravier, 1908), S. kollikeri Thompson & Henderson, 1906, S. gravieri (Hickson, 1916), S. elongatum (Hickson, 1916), S. magniflorum (Hickson, 1916) and S. theseus Bayer, 1959. Among them, the only species recorded in the Atlantic Ocean is S. theseus (Gulf of Mexico, Surinam, Trinidad, Bayer, 1959 & 1961; South Carolina, EUA, Devictor & Morton, 2010). However, Sclerobelemnon castroi sp. nov. differs from it in the aspects listed in Table 1. In concerning to the other species in the genus, S. schmeltzii presents the autozooids distributed in nine rows (Hickson, 1916: 80, says 7-10 rows) and a peduncle with sparse sclerites with spines at their edges (Kükenthal, 1915). In S. burgeri the autozooids are distributed in three to four longitudinal rows, the polyps have eight bands of sclerites, the siphonozooids present an octoradiated appearance and the surface of the sclerites have a granular appearance (Thompson & Henderson, 1906). In S. gracilis the colony is slender and the polyps are sparse, distributed along two to four longitudinal rows, and the number is constant along the entire colony. In S. kollikeri the rachis is longer than the peduncle, the axis has longitudinal grooves and the occurrence of sclerites is sparse (Kükenthal, 1915). In S. gravieri the autozooids are in two to four longitudinal rows, and the siphonozooids are absent along the middorsal track (Hickson, 1916). S. elongatum is slender with a very elongated rachis, and presents two to four autozooids longitudinal rows and do not presents calyces in the autozooids or siphonozooids (Hickson, 1916). In S. magniflorum the autozooids are in four longitudinal rows, the axis has concave surfaces and the sclerites at the peduncle are sparse (Hickson, 1916). Acknowledgements We would like to thanks to Dr. Gary Williams for critically reviewing the manuscript. We extend our gratitude to the Fundação para o Desenvolvimento do Estado de Pernambuco (FACEPE) for Master research fellowship of Bárbara Neves, to Dr. Christina Peixoto from Centro de Tecnologias Estratégicas do Nordeste (CETENE) for the MEV images, Dr. Clovis Barreira e Castro for his great contributions and to two anonymous reviewers for the suggestions that greatly improved the final version of the manuscript. This work was supported in part by funds from PADI Foundation. References Bayer F. 1959. Octocorals from Surinam and the adjacent coasts of South America. Studies of the fauna Suriname and others Guianas, 6: 1-43. Bayer F.M. 1961. The shallow-water Octocorallia of the West Indian region. A manual for marine biologists. Martinus Nijhoff: The Hague, Netherlands. 373 pp. Table 1. Comparison of morphological characters among Sclerobelemnon theseus Bayer, 1959 and Sclerobelemnon castroi sp. nov. Tableau 1. Comparaison entre les caractères morphologiques de Sclerobelemnon theseus Bayer, 1959 et Sclerobelemnon castroi sp. nov. Characters Sclerobelemnon theseus* Sclerobelemnon castroi sp. nov. Number of rows 9 5-6 Sclerites from rachis Scales with serrated ends Rods without ornamentation Sclerites from peduncle Oval plates with serrated ends Biscuit and bone-shaped smooth or lobate in the ends, never serrated Sclerites from pseudocalyx Constricted at the middle; ends expanded; Smooth rods with some bifurcation and others almost rectangular with the without medium constriction ends conspicuously sculpted Sclerites at the tentacles Present Absent * Font: Bayer (1959)
434 NEW SPECIES OF SCLEROBELEMNON FROM BRAZIL Devictor S.T. & Morton S.L. 2010. Identification guide to the shallow water (0 200 m) octocorals of the South Atlantic Bight. Zootaxa, 2599: 1-62. Hickson S.J. 1916. The Pennatulacea of the Siboga Expedition. Siboga Expedition Monograph, 77: 265 pp. Kükenthal W. 1915. Pennatularia. Das Tierreich. Verlag von R. Friedländer und Sohn: Berlin. 132 pp. Thomson J.A. & Henderson W.D. 1906. An account of the alcyonarians collected by the Royal Indian marine survey ship investigator in the Indian Ocean. Part I. The alcyonarians of the deep sea. The Indian Museum: Calcutta. 132 pp. Williams G.C. 1995. Living genera of sea pens (Coelenterata: Octocorallia: Pennatulacea): illustrated key and synopses. Zoological Journal of Linnean Society of London, 113: 93-140.