Ideogorgia laurae, an uncommon new octocoral species (Alcyonacea: Keroeididae) from a newly established Marine Protected Area at Burdwood Bank, Argentina

Abstract

A new deep-sea keroeidid octocoral, Ideogorgia laurae, is described from Burdwood Bank, Argentina. It is distinguished from its single congener by the presence of conspicuous calyces, anthocodial sclerites (flattened and warted rods) and large coenenchymal triradiates. This is the deepest and the first record of that genus outside southern African waters. In addition, this is the first new species described for the recently created Marine Protected Area Namuncura II at Burdwood Bank, Argentine Sea. This discovery in a very well-sampled area shows how little we know about that fauna, and also reinforces the importance of creating MPAs to safeguard hotspots of biodiversity in Subantarctic waters. Finally, the new species is an evidence of early connections between deep Subantarctic and shallow South African benthic faunas.