| Abstrakt: |
Containing 51 extant genera and over 300 species, the family Caryophylliidae Dana, 1846 is reported from Antarctica to the Arctic, ranging from shallow to deep waters. Even though most caryophylliids are solitary, the majority of the most extensive deep-water reefs have their main engineers in colonial representatives of this family. However, several of these colonial species are small-sized and are usually found in shallow waters. Based on a study of colonies collected during scuba diving at Alcatrazes Archipelagos’ main island (São Paulo State) and Ilha Rasa (Rio de Janeiro), Brazil, a new species belonging to the genus Coenocyathus Milne Edwards & Haime, 1848 is described as C. sebroecki sp. nov. The species identity and its phylogenetic position within the Caryophylliidae could be distinguished by using morphological and genetic data. Also, the description of the cnidom of this species and remarks on its biology are provided, as well as a brief discussion on the polyphyly of the Caryophylliidae and an identification key for all extant Coenocyathus species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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