Euphyllia baliensis sp. nov. (Cnidaria: Anthozoa: Scleractinia: Euphylliidae): a new species of reef coral from Indonesia

Euphyllia baliensis sp. nov. (Cnidaria: Anthozoa: Scleractinia: Euphylliidae): a new species of reef coral from Indonesia

EMRE TURAK1,4, LYNDON DEVANTIER2,4 & MARK ERDMANN3, 5

1CORMEC,1 rue François Villon, 95000, Cergy, France. E-mail: emreturak@wanadoo.fr
220 Val Crescent, Noosaville, Queensland, 4566, Australia
3Conservation International Indonesia Marine Program, Jl. Dr. Muwardi No. 17, Denpasar, Bali, 80235, Indonesia 4Museum of Tropical Queensland, 70–102 Flinders Street, Townsville, 4810 Qld, Australia
5California Academy of Science, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, CA 94118 USA

Abstract

Euphyllia baliensis sp. nov. (Hexacorallia: Scleractinia: Euphylliidae) is described from 10 specimens from Bali, Indone- sia. This species forms phaceloid colonies, and is distinguished morphologically from others in its genus by its compara- tively very small corallites (averaging 3 mm diameter) and much shorter, thinner, lightly calcified branches. It also exhibits an unusual pattern for Hexacorallia in having four or eight primary and secondary septa. Living corals typically have fleshy polyps extended during the day. Tentacles are ‘anchor’, ‘kidney’ or ‘hammer’ shaped at their tips, occasionally with additional smaller bulbous protuberances, the latter resembling ‘mittens’ or ‘gloves’. Tentacles are dull to dark reddish- brown with lime green bases and cream tips, becoming bluish on retraction. Type specimens were collected from 27-37 m depth off the central eastern coast of Bali, Indonesia. To date the species has not been reported from any other locality.