Designation of Thouarella abies Broch, 1965 as the type species of the subgenus Fannyella (Scyphogorgia) Cairns and Bayer, 2009, and description of a new genus for Stenella (Dasystenella) liouvillei Gravier, 1913 (Octocorallia: Primnoidae)

Abstract

Recently the two Antarctic gorgonian species Stenella (Dasystenella) liouvillei Gravier, 1913 and Thouarella abies Broch, 1965 were synonymized and considered as Fannyella (Scyphogorgia) liouvillei. The re-examination of the type material of both species and newly collected specimens demonstrate that this synonym can no longer be considered valid. In the present study we propose, following the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature, to change the current type species of the subgenus Scyphogorgia, Stenella liouvillei, to Thouarella abies, the new combination being Fannyella (Scyphogorgia) abies. Furthermore we propose a new genus, Scopaegorgia, to accommodate Stenella liouvillei. Both species are completely re-described from the type material and the abundant specimens collected during some recent Antarctic cruises.

Keywords:

• Octocorallia
• Primnoidae
• Antarctica
• Scopaegorgia
• Scyphogorgia

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Aude Andouche (MNHN) and Åse Wilhelmsen (NHM) for lending museum specimens for examination and also for their good quality pictures of the colonies. We also acknowledge the valuable assistance of Miguel Angel Alonso Zarazaga (Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, Madrid, Spain, CSIC) in the correct use of articles of the ICZN related to the designation of type species. Stephen Cairns (USNM) is thanked for valuable comments and discussions on the taxonomic placement of the species described here. We are grateful to the officers and crew of the R/V Polarstern and R/V Italica, and many colleagues on board during the ANT XXIII/8, EASIZ, ANDEEP-I, LAMPOS BENDEX and VLT-2004 cruises for their support and help. Special thanks to Stefano Schiaparelli and Anne-Nina Lörz for making available the material collected during the BIOROSS cruise in 2004 (R/V Tangaroa). Support for this study was provided by the Spanish CICYT projects – CLIMANT – POL2006-06399/CGL (ANT XXIII/8), ANT99-1608-E (EASIZ), REN2001-4269-E/ANT_(ANDEEP-I), REN2001-4929-E/ANT (LAMPOS), REN2003–04236 (BENDEX) and CGL2004-20062-E (VLT-2004). Tony Krupa is thanked for reviewing the English version.