Abstract
The pennatulacean genus Malacobelemnon has previously been considered to be distributed in the Western Indian and western Pacific Oceans, with one described species and another possible undescribed species from South Africa. An undescribed shallow-water species attributable to this Kophobelemnidae genus has been collected from the Antarctic region (King George, South Shetland Islands). The present paper reports this discovery, providing the description and illustrations of the new species, Malacobelemnon daytoni n. sp. Some of the characters previously considered in the genus Malacobelemnon should be slightly modified to include the new Antarctic species. The general colony shape, the distribution of siphonozooids, number of longitudinal autozooids rows, and the length and shape of the section of axis are the main characters used to distinguish the new species from the other in the genus M. stephensoni Tixier-Durivault 1965. From a bathymetric point of view, Malacobelemnon daytoni n. sp. is one of the shallowest pennatulacean species recorded, being an important contribution to the shallow-water Antarctic fauna.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
