Comprehensive Description
provided by Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology
Balanophyllia galapagensis Vaughan, 1906
Balanophyllia galapagensis Vaughan, 1906:67–68, pl. 4: fig. 2–2b.—Durham and Barnard,1952:10.—Durham,1962:46; 1966:125.—Wells, 1983:239, pl. 14: figs. 4, 5.
Balanophyllia osburni Durham and Barnard, 1952:100–101, pl. 15: fig. 63a–d.—Durham, 1962:46; 1966:125.—Wells, 1983:239.
DESCRIPTION.—Corallum solitary, ceratoid, and firmly attached through a thick pedicel. Largest specimen examined (USNM 77277) 8.45 × 7.2 mm in calicular diameter, 12.3 mm tall, and 4.7 mm in pedicel diameter. C1–3 usually slightly broader than C4, 0.36 mm vs. 0.25 mm, respectively. Costae slightly convex and granular, separated by deep, thin (0.11 mm) intercostal striae. A very thin epitheca masks the synapticulotheca for a variable percentage (5–85) of the corallum, most extensively developed on the holotype of B. galapagensis.
Septa hexamerally arranged in four complete cycles, the largest specimen having an additional pair of S5 (50 septa) and the holotype of B. osburni, virtually the same size, having two pairs of S5 (52 septa). S1–2 of approximately the same size, slightly exsert (up to 1.2 mm), and extend to columella. S3 rudimentary, only about 0.4 mm exsert, and extend 0.2–0.3 distance to columella. S4 more exsert (0.8 mm) and broader than S3, fusing before the S3 in a broad (½ calicular radius) paliform lobe, which projects slightly into the columella. Septa and pali covered with prominent pointed granules up to 0.08 mm tall. Fossa usually very shallow, containing a large compact elliptical columella composed of fused fascicular elements.
- bibliographic citation
- Cairns, Stephen D. 1991. "A revision of the Ahermatypic Scleractinia of the Galapagos and Cocos Islands." Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology. 1-32. https://doi.org/10.5479/si.00810282.504
Biology
provided by World Register of Marine Species
azooxanthellate
van der Land, J. (ed). (2008). UNESCO-IOC Register of Marine Organisms (URMO).
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- cc-by-4.0
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- WoRMS Editorial Board
Depth range
provided by World Register of Marine Species
18-462 m
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- WoRMS Editorial Board