Table Of ContentPROC. BIOL. SOC. WASH.
107(1), 1994, pp. 185-192
DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW GENUS ALLOPATHES
(CNIDARIA: ANTIPATHARIA) AND ITS TYPE
SPECIES CIRRIPATHES DESBONNI
Dennis M. Opresko and Stephen D. Cairns
Abstract.—The rarely collected species originally described as Cirripathes
desbonni is redescribed based on two specimens. A neotype is designated be-
cause the type is presumed to be lost. A newgenus, Allopathes, is proposed for
this species based on its unusual colony form: numerous elongate, mostly
unbranched stems originating from a short, trunk-like base. Antipathes robil-
lardi Bell is also placed in this genus, which gives the genus a range ofwestern
Atlantic and Mauritius at 129-161 m.
In September, 1989 the second author arenotclearlydefined. Theindividualstems
participatedin acruise oftheJohnson-Sea- resemblethoseofCirrhipathesandStichop-
LinkIresearchsubmersible(stations2582- athes, and the arrangement ofthe polyps in
2595) offthe southeastern coast ofLouisi- a single row would tend to associate the
ana. Eight species ofAntipatharia were ob- species more with Stichopathes. The latter
served,photographed,andcollected(Cairns was treated as a subgenus of Cirrhipathes
et al. 1994), one of which was Allopathes by some (e.g.. Van Pesch 1914). However,
desbonni. This species is composed ofnu- the morphology ofthe spines ofAllopathes,
merous long, slender, mostly unbranched and its tendency to develop long branches,
stems arising from a stout, trunk-like base. would suggest an affinity with Antipathes
We
consider the distinctive nature of the verticillata(Brook 1889).PlacingAntipathes
corallum ofthis species and one other, A. desbonni in Stichopathes or Cirrhipathes
robillardi, to justify establishing a new ge- would substantially alter the major diag-
nus, and include a redescription ofthe spe- nosticcharacterofthosegenera, i.e.,theun-
cies. branched growth form of the corallum,
which we do not believe to be justified.
Likewise, placing^, desbonniinAntipathes
Allopathes, new genus
would diminish the significance of the
Z)/(3gnc>5/5.—Corallum consisting of nu- unique morphology of the corallum. Al-
merous elongate stems arising from a short though the genus Antipathes currently is a
trunk-likebase. Stemsgenerallystraightbut heterogeneous assemblage of species, it is
may be slightly coiled at their distal end; our view that natural groupings of species
mostly unbranched, but occasionally with tend to centeraround distinct types ofskel-
firstandsecond-orderbranchesarisingfrom etal morphology which, when evaluated in
the lowermost parts of the stems. Spines associationwithcharacteristicsofthespines
typically arranged in verticils around cir- and polyps, are likely to define generic or
cumference ofaxis. Polyps in a single row subgeneric taxa. Therefore, we consider it
along length ofaxis. appropriatetoestablishanewgenusfordes-
—
Discussion. As was noted by Duchas- bonniandalsoincludeinitAntipathesrobil-
&
saing Michelotti (1864) the generic affin- lardi Bell, 1891.
ites of Cirripathes {=Allopathes) desbonni Etymology.—From Greek alios, other +
186 PROCEEDINGSOFTHEBIOLOGICALSOCIETYOFWASHINGTON
Fig. L Allopathesdesbonni, neotype(USNM 88327). a. Basal section ofcorallum showingtheorigin ofthe
stems, xO.75; b, Section ofstem with polyps, x6.
pathes, secondcomponentofAntipathes, in Montserrat, LesserAntilles, BlakeStn 155,
allusionto itstaxonomicrelationship. Gen- 88 fm (=161 m), one specimen in the Mu-
der: feminine. seum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard
—
Typespecies. Cirripathesdesbonni, here University.
m
designated. Cirripathesisanincorrectspell- Diagnosis.—Corallumlarge,about 1 in
ing ofCirrhipathes. height, with numerous mostly unbranched
stems arising from a short trunk-like base
Allopathes desbonni (Fig. la); stems generally straight and stiff,
(Duchassaing & Michelotti, 1864), butflexibleand somewhatcoilednearapex;
new combination occasionally branched near base. Spines
Figs. 1-4 typically conical, acute, and usually 0.10-
Cirripathes Desbonni Duchassaing & Mi- 0.14 mm (but up to 0.20 mm) from mid-
point ofbase to apex; with cone-shaped tu-
chelotti, 1864:142.
— bercles on upper two-thirds or more ofsur-
NotAntipathes {Cirrhipathes) Desbonnii.
face. Spines arranged in verticils ofvarying
Pourtales, 1874:46.-1878:209 (=Stich-
regularity and in longitudinal rows with 3
opathespourtalesi Brook).
— or4 spines per millimeterin each row. Pol-
Antipathes {Cirrhipathes) Desbonni.
yps arranged in one row along stems and
Pourtales, 1880:114, pi. iii, figs. 6-7. branches; 1.0-1.2 mm in transverse diam-
Stichopathesl desbonni.—Brook, 1889:92.
eter(from proximal side ofproximal lateral
Materialexamined.—GulfofMexico, off tentacles to distal side ofdistal lateral ten-
southeastern Louisiana, 27°44.62'N, tacles); interpolypar space about 0.4-0.5
91°07.9'W, 129-144 m, Johnson-Sea-Link mm; from 5 to 7 polypspercentimeter(Fig.
USNM
I Stn 2585, 88327, neotype.-Off lb).
VOLUME NUMBER
107, 1 187
Fig. 2. Allopathes desbonm, neotype (USNM 88327). a, b, Section ofstem 0.5 mm in diameter, showing
amrmrangement ofspines, stereo pair, x59; c, Section ofstem 1.5 mm in diameter, x25; d. Section ofstem 0.85
in diameterwith bifid spines, x46.
PROCEEDINGSOFTHEBIOLOGICALSOCIETY OFWASHINGTON
Description.—The neotype consists of a usually 3 or 4 spines permillimeterin each
clusterofabout40 stemsattachedtoa4cm row.
long "trunk," as well as several dozen de- Spinesaregenerallyuniforminsizeatany
tached pieces. This specimen was only part given point on the corallum, though they
ofa much larger colony, the remainder of varyinsizeandappearancealongthelength
which was not collected. Individual stems ofthe axis, as well as around the circum-
reach a maximum length of about 90 cm ference. Spinesonthepolyp-sideoftheaxis
mm
and are 0.5-2.3 in diameter at their are generally larger than those on the ab-
base (average 1.47 mm, n = 24). Stems 46, polyparside.Thespinesalsoincreaseinsize
53 and 75 cm long have basal diameters of from the distal end ofa stem or branch to
1.1, 2.3,and 1.5 mm,respectively. Allstems the basal end; however, the rate ofincrease
arise directly from the base (Fig. la) and is not uniform from one stem or branch to
most are unbranched; however, a few have another. About 1 cm from the distal end
asinglebranchthatoriginatesnotmorethan where the axial diameter is about 0.2 mm,
mm
1 centimeterabovethebasalendofthestem. the spines are quite small, 0.04-0.06
Thebranchesareunbranchedandcanbeas from thetiptothecenterofthebase, some-
longasthe stem fromwhich theyarise. The what compressed laterally, triangular in
axialdiameterofastemorbranchdecreases shape, and have only a few small conical
regularlyfrombasetoapex,e.g., forone 52- protuberances on their surface. With in-
mm
cm long stem, the diameter is 2.3 at creasing axial diameter the spines become
mm mm
the base, 1.7 at a height of 10 cm, 1.1 larger; i.e., 0.07-0.09 (axial diameter
mm mm mm
at 30 cm, 0.7 at 40 cm, and 0.3 about 0.3 mm), 0.10-0.12 (axial di-
mm at its distal end. ameter0.4-0.7mm.Fig. 3a),0.10-0.16mm
The stems and branches ofthe corallum (axial diameter 0.7-1.0 mm, Fig. 3b), and
mm
radiate upwardfrom thebase. Theyare rel- 0.12-0.20 (axialdiameterover 1.0mm).
atively straight and stiff for most of their Overall, the typical polypar spine is 0.10-
mm
length; however, near the apex (i.e., upper 0.14 tall,conicalinshape,withanacute
10 cm or more) they curve and even form to slightly rounded apex, and with cone-
a loose coil. This occurs regardless of the shaped tubercles scattered overthe surface.
overall length ofthe stem orbranch, and is The corresponding abpolypar spines are
mm
associated with an increased flexibility of generally0.02 to 0.06 smallerand usu-
the axis due to a very thin sclerenchymal ally have fewer surface tubercles. For ex-
layer and a relatively wide central axial ca- ample, at the midpoint ofone 30-cm long
nal (0.20-0.36 mm). Because ofthese fac- stem(axialdiameterabout0.9mm)thepol-
mm
tors the tips ofthe stems and branches col- yparspinesmeasure 0.10-0.12 andthe
lapse when dried. abpolypar spines 0.08 mm. The spines on
Axialspines(Figs. 2, 3,4a-c)arearranged thelowermostportionofeachstem(usually
in longitudinal rows and also in verticils, within 5 to 1 cm ofthe basal end and re-
althoughtheregularityoftheverticilsvaries gardless of total length of the stem) differ
considerablyfrompointtopoint. Sixorsev- from the typical spines in being almost
en longitudinal rows ofspines can be seen smooth-surfaced(Figs. 2c, 3c). Thesespines
in viewing one side ofthe axis and 13 rows are large (usually 0.16-0.20 mm), have a
were counted around the entire circumfer- sharp apex and tend to be directed distally.
ence of one segment of axis having a di- Inaddition,onsomestems,andparticularly
ameter of 1.6 mm. The distance between wheretheaxialdiameteris 1.0mmormore,
the spines in each row varies on different the polypar spines can become rather wide
parts of the axis and ranges from 0.24 to and blunt with numerous surface tubercles
0.40 mm; however, in general, there are (Figs. 4b, c). The location and abundance
VOLUME NUMBER
107, 1 189
Fig. 3. Allopathesdesbonni, neotype(USNM 88327). a. Spinefromsectionofstemabout0.5 mmdiameter,
mm
X365;b,Spinefromsectionofstemabout0.8 indiameter, x245;c.Smoothspinefromlowermostportion
ofstem, x240; d-f, Bifidandtrifid spines from stem 0.85 mm in diameter, x 115, x245, x170, respectively.
of these blunt spines varies from stem to Polyps are arranged in a single row along
stem, but they are never found at the distal the entire length ofthe stems and branches
or basal ends ofthe stem. A very atypical (Fig. lb). They are generally 1.0-1.2 mm in
conditionwasfoundonsectionsofonestem transverse diameter (from the distal side of
where the primary polypar spines were bi- the distal lateral tentacles to the proximal
furcated and trifurcated and occasionally side ofthe proximal lateral tentacles), and
accompaniedbyanacicularsecondaryspine separated by a space of 0.4-0.5 mm, re-
(Figs. 2d, 3d-f). sulting in about 6 or 7 polyps per centi-
190 PROCEEDINGSOFTHE BIOLOGICALSOCIETY OFWASHINGTON
Fig. 4. Allopathesdesbonni(a-c, neotype, USNM 88327; d-f, BlakeStn 155). a. Sectionofstem 0.3 mm in
diameter, x70; b. Section ofstem 0.9 mm in diameter, with large, blunt spines, x31; c. Blunt spine, x250; d.
mm mm
Sectionofstem0.4 indiameter, x69;e. Sectionofstemabout0.8 indiameterwithlarge,bluntspines,
x34; f, Blune spine, x25.
meter. Near the base ofthe stems there can lenta neeflexuosespiralis ."NoneofDu-
, & . .
be as few as 5 polyps per centimeter. In a chassaing Michelotti'santipatharian types
preserved state the sagittal tentacles are are in the collections ofthe Turin Museum
mm
about 1.5 long and appear about twice (Rossi, pers. comm.), and it is unlikely that
as long as the lateral tentacles. they still exist. For this reason a neotype is
Remarks.—DwchdiSSdimg & Michelotti's designated.
(1864) original description ofthis species is Pourtales (1874, 1878) originally con-
as follows: "Simplex filiformis caudata ni- fused Duchassaing & Michelotti's species
, ,
gra spinis minutis confluentibus Species with a single-stemmed Cirrhipathes, but in
, , .
VOLUME 107, NUMBER 1 191
theBlakecollection Pourtales (1880) found trunks which gave rise to numerous stems,
oneclusterofstemsjoinedatthebasewhich many ofwhich were simple, but some were
he recognized as the true C desbonni. He said to "divide at once two orthree times,"
noted that the axial spines on the younger andonewassaidtodivideataheightgreater
parts ofthe corallum were arranged in ver- than 7.5 cm from the base. In the neotype
ticils, as well as in longitudinal rows; how- ofA. desbonnivery fewofthe stems divide,
ever, he did not provide a detailed descrip- and none at a heightgreaterthan 1 cm. Bell
tion ofthe spines and made no mention of reportedthatthespinesof^. robillardiwere
surface sculpturing. blunt and his illustration shows eight rows
We re-examined the Blakespecimen and inlateralview;however,thespineswerenot
found it to consist of about twelve stems, describedashavinganysurfacesculpturing,
thelongestofwhichisabout46cminlength and the illustration is not detailed enough
mm
and about 1.5 in basal diameter. Most to indicate whether they have conical tu-
are broken at their distal end and also bro- bercles like those in the neotype of^. des-
ken offfrom the trunk. Neither the size of bonni. There is, however, another species
the spines (0.10-0.18 mm) northeirdensity from Mauritius, Antipathes verticillata
mm
(3 or4 per in each row) are appreciably (Brook),thathasverticillatedspinesthatare
different from the Johnson-Sea-Link spec- very similar in appearance to those of A.
imen and, as in the latter case, the spines desbonni; i.e., they are conical, acute, and
on the basal end ofthe stems are relatively coveredwith sharp, conicaltubercles(Brook
smooth and acute, whereas others slightly 1889: plate XII, figs. 25 and 25a). Signifi-
higher up are rather wide and blunt. How- cantlythough,thecorallumof^. verticillata
ever, on many ofthe stems from the Blake differsfromthatof^. desbonniandA. robil-
specimen, the spines have much more lardi in being branched, with long simple,
stronglydeveloped surface sculpturingthan mostly unilaterally arranged branchlets, a
the Johnson-Sea-Link specimen. The sur- condition not unlike that occurring in the
face tubercles are larger and more distinct, western Atlantic species Antipathespedata.
even on spines on the abpolypar side ofthe Spines in the latter species are not arranged
axis (Figs. 4d-f). Polyps are not present on in verticils; however, they do have distinct
the Blake specimen. surface tubercles not unlike those occurring
Whether the differences in surface sculp- in A. verticillata.
turingofthe spinesisindicativeofa species Distribution.—GulfofMexico offsouth-
level differentiation isdifficultto determine eastern Louisiana; off Montserrat, Lesser
inviewoftheconditionandlimitedamount Antilles; 129-161 m.
ofmaterial available.
Comparisons.—K species of antipathar-
Acknowledgments
ian from Mauritius, Antipathes robillardi
Bell, 1891, is very similar in general ap- This work was sponsored by the Smith-
pearancetoA. desbonni. Thetype specimen sonian Institution, Washington, D.C., and
of^. robillardi could not be located in the by Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak
collections ofthe British Museum so a di- Ridge, Tennessee. Thesecondauthorthanks
rect comparison with A. desbonni was not Harry Roberts and Robert Carney (Loui-
possible. However, from Bell's description siana State University), co-chief scientists
and illustration, it can be determined that ontheLouisianaJohnson-Sea-LinkIcruist
thetwospeciesareofcomparablesize(stems of 1989, for the opportunity to participate
m NOAA
about 1 long), and both have spines ar- inthecruise, andthe UnderseasRe-
ranged in verticils. Bell reported that the search Program and Louisiana State Uni-
We
corallumof^. robillardiconsistedofseveral versity for partial funding ofthe cruise.
—
192 PROCEEDINGSOFTHE BIOLOGICALSOCIETY OFWASHINGTON
alsoacknowledgeArdisJohnsonfortheloan Pourtales, L. F. 1874. ZoologicalresultsoftheHas-
ofthe Blake specimen oiA. desbonni from sler expedition. Deep-Sea corals.—Illustrated
the MuseumofComparativeZoology, Har- catalogue ofthe Museum ofComparative Zo-
ology 8:33-49, plates 6-9.
vard University. The scanning electron
photomicrographs were taken in the SEM d.er18t7h8e.suRpeerpvoirstioonnotfhAelreexsaulntdseorfAdgarsesdigzi,ngi,nutnh-e
Laboratory, National Museum of Natural Gulf of Mexico, by the U.S. Coast Survey
History. SteamerBlake: Corals.-Bulletin ofthe Muse-
um of Comparative Zoology, 5(9):197-212,
plate 1.
Literature Cited . 1880. Reportsontheresultsofdredging,un-
derthesupervisionofAlexanderAgassiz,inthe
Bell, F. J. 1891. Contributionsto our knowledge of Caribbean Sea, 1878-79, by the United States
the antipatharian corals.—Transactions ofthe CoastSurveySteamerBlake, VI. Corals.—Bul-
ZoologicalSocietyofLondon, 8, part 11, num- letin ofthe Museum ofComparative Zoology,
ber 7:87-92.
6(4):95-l12, plates 1-2.
Brook, G. 1889. Report on the Antipatharia.—Re- Van Pesch, A. J. 1914. The Antipatharia ofthe 5/-
ports ofthe Scientific Results ofthe Voyage of bogaExpedition. Siboga-Expeditie, 17:1-258.
the Challenger, 32:5-222.
Cairns,ScS.hrDo.e,dDe.r.M.InOpprreesskso,(1T9.94S)..HopNkeiwns,re&coWrd.sWo.f (DMO) Health Sciences Research Divi-
deep-water Cnidaria (Scleractinia & Antipa- sion, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak
tharia)fromtheGulfofMexico.—NortheastGulf Ridge,Tennessee37930,U.S.A.;(SDC)De-
Science. partment of Invertebrate Zoology, Smith-
Duchassaing, P., &J. Michelotti. 1864. Supplement sonianInstitution,Washington,D.C. 20560,
au memoire sur les coralliaires des Antilles.—
U.S.A.
Memoiresde1'AcademicdesSciencesdeTurin,
series 2, 23:97-206, 11 plates.
