Rhodolitica on rhodoliths: a new stoloniferan genus (Anthozoa, Octocorallia, Alcyonacea)

Rhodolitica occulta gen. nov. et sp. nov. (Clavulariidae) is described from Cocos Island National Park, Pacific Ocean, Costa Rica. The species was found at various islets and rocky outcrops around the island, 20?55 m in depth. The genus is characterised by tubular, single, erect anthosteles interconnected by thin basal ribbon-like stolons on the surfaces of living rhodoliths. The anthosteles are devoid of fused sclerites, which are only present in the stolons. Coenenchymal sclerites are mostly spindles of various shapes, with a characteristic cylindrical warty type in the outer layer, crosses and radiates. Anthocodiae are armed with points, lacking collarets. Colonies and sclerites are red. Using an integrative taxonomic approach, we separate the new genus from similar genera through both morphological comparison and a molecular phylogenetic analysis. This research is a contribution to the knowledge of the octocoral biodiversity in Cocos Island and marine biodiversity in the eastern tropical Pacific.

Automated summary

A new octocoral genus Rhodolitica occulta gen. nov. et sp. nov. is described from Cocos Island National Park, Costa Rica. The species is characterized by tubular, single, erect anthosteles connected by thin basal stolons on living rhodoliths, with red colonies and sclerites. Through morphological comparison and molecular phylogenetic analysis, the new genus is distinguished from similar genera, contributing to the understanding of octocoral biodiversity in Cocos Island and the eastern tropical Pacific.