ZooKeys
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Stauropathes monopinnata is a small black coral discovered in the Whiting Bank, a deep-sea area about 25 km southeast of Puerto Rico, with the help of the ROV SuBastian.
The holotype (USNM 1689279) was found at a depth of 738 meters during a health assessment of deep-sea corals.
A paratype (USNM 1424060) was discovered 250 km southeast of Midway Atoll, Hawaii, at a depth of 1604 meters using the NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) ROV Deep Discoverer.
The polyps of black coral are arranged in a single row (polypend density: 4 to 5 per 5 cm).
Based on in situ photographs, the tentacles are longer than 1 cm when fully extended and the tissue color is dark red.
Etymology
The specific name is derived from the Latin “mono” (one) and “pinnata” (feathered) and refers to the general appearance of the new species, which is characterized by the absence of branches compared to the other species of the genus.
Scientific reference.
Horowitz J, Barajas M, McCartin LJ, Vohsen SA, Herrera S (2025)
Description of a new species of Stauropathes (Anthozoa, Antipatharia, Schizopathidae) from Puerto Rico. ZooKeys 1231: 331-346.
https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1231.136967
Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0)
The holotype (USNM 1689279) was found at a depth of 738 meters during a health assessment of deep-sea corals.
A paratype (USNM 1424060) was discovered 250 km southeast of Midway Atoll, Hawaii, at a depth of 1604 meters using the NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) ROV Deep Discoverer.
The polyps of black coral are arranged in a single row (polypend density: 4 to 5 per 5 cm).
Based on in situ photographs, the tentacles are longer than 1 cm when fully extended and the tissue color is dark red.
Etymology
The specific name is derived from the Latin “mono” (one) and “pinnata” (feathered) and refers to the general appearance of the new species, which is characterized by the absence of branches compared to the other species of the genus.
Scientific reference.
Horowitz J, Barajas M, McCartin LJ, Vohsen SA, Herrera S (2025)
Description of a new species of Stauropathes (Anthozoa, Antipatharia, Schizopathidae) from Puerto Rico. ZooKeys 1231: 331-346.
https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1231.136967
Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0)
