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Pterostenella plumatilis (Milne Edwards & Haime, 1857) Primnoa plumatilis Milne Edwards & Haime, 1857: 141 (Reunion Is.). Pterostenella plumatilis Versluys 1906: 40–42, figs. 39–45; Bayer & Stefani 1988: 456–457, pl. 1. Opinion: There is no evidence that this species occurs in the region. Justification: These Indian records seem to be either invalid or unconfirmable: Fernando 2011: 129–130, pl. 93, fig. 1–1h (Cuddalore); Fernando et al. 2017: 304, pl. 143, fig. 1–1h (Cuddalore). Literature analysis: The descriptions of the Indian material by Fernando (2011) and Fernando et al. (2017) are identical, but clearly do not represent this species. In their list of synonyms these authors include Bayer & Stefani (1988), who remark that the polyps occur in pairs or whorls of 3–4 with 5 to 7 scales in the abaxial rows, and direct readers to “la description excellente des spécimens de la´Siboga » publiée par VERSLUYS (1906) ”. In the latter publication the colony form of this species is shown as pinnate and the polyps as short and straight and angled from the branch. But in Fernando (2011) and Fernando et al. (2017) the colony is shown to be generally dichotomous, the close-up of one side of a branch shows part of a whorl with 3 polyps implying a full whorl of at least 6, and the polyps are curved with at least twice as many scales in an abaxial row than in Pterostenella plumatilis. Additionally, in the sclerite figures the polyp body scales seem to be ornamented with a dense complex of reticulate ridges and a radially ridged distal margin, indicating the material would be better assigned to a genus like Callogorgia., Published as part of Ramvilas, Ghosh, Alderslade, Philip & Ranjeet, Kutty, 2023, The taxonomy of Indian gorgonians: an assessment of the descriptive records of gorgonians (Anthozoa: Octocorallia: Alcyonacea) recorded as occurring in the territorial waters of India, along with neighbouring regions and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and the highlighting of perceived unethical practice, pp. 1-124 in Zootaxa 5236 (1) on page 108, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5236.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/7639327, {"references":["Milne Edwards, H. & Haime, J. (1857) Histoire naturelle des coralliaires ou polypes proprement dits, Vol. 1. a la Libraire Encyclopedique de Roret, Paris, xxxiv + 326 pp., 8 pls., numbered A 1 - 6 + B 1 - 2. https: // doi. org / 10.5962 / bhl. title. 11574","Versluys, J. (1906). Die Gorgoniden Der Siboga-Expedition. II. Die Primnoidae. Siboga-Expedition Monograph, 13 a, 1 - 187.","Bayer, F. M. & Stefani, J. (1988) Primnoidae (Gorgonacea) de Nouvelle-Caledonie. Bulletin du Museium national d'histoire naturelle, Paris, 10 (A), 3, 449 - 476.","Fernando, S. A. (2011) Monograph on Gorgonids (Sea fans) of India. Centre of Advanced Study in Marine Biology, Faculty of Marine Sciences, Parangipettai, 145 pp.","Fernando, S. A, Venkataraman, K. & Raghunathan, C. (2017) Gorgonians of Indian sea. Director, Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata, 330 pp. Available from: https: // www. nhbs. com / (accessed 21 March 2022)"]}

Callogorgia indica Versluys in Thomson & Henderson, 1906 Caligorgia indica Versluys, 1906, MS. In: Thomson & Henderson, 1906: 43–45 (Andamans). Opinion: This species does occur in the region but is not recognizable. Justification: These Indian records seem to be either invalid or unconfirmable: Thomson & Henderson 1906: 43–45 (Andamans); Thomson & Simpson 1909: 180 (Andamans & Laccadives). Literature analysis: Caligorgia indica was established as a new species by Thomson & Henderson (1906) using the manuscript name of the specific epithet from a report by Verslyus on their material. Unfortunately, no illustrations were given. The species is now recognised as being in the genus Callogorgia of which Caligorgia (sensu Wright & Studer 1889) is a junior synonym. Primnoella indica Kükenthal, 1907 is also a Callogorgia, but it was synonymised with C. formosa by Bayer (1982). Rao & Devi (2003) just list the species., Published as part of Ramvilas, Ghosh, Alderslade, Philip & Ranjeet, Kutty, 2023, The taxonomy of Indian gorgonians: an assessment of the descriptive records of gorgonians (Anthozoa: Octocorallia: Alcyonacea) recorded as occurring in the territorial waters of India, along with neighbouring regions and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and the highlighting of perceived unethical practice, pp. 1-124 in Zootaxa 5236 (1) on page 107, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5236.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/7639327, {"references":["Thomson, J. A. & Henderson, W. D. (1906) An account of the alcyonarians collected by the Royal Indian Marine Survey Ship Investigator in the Indian Ocean. 1. The Alcyonarians of the Deep Sea. The Indian Museum, Calcutta, 132 + xvi pp. https: // doi. org / 10.5962 / bhl. title. 8279","Versluys, J. (1906). Die Gorgoniden Der Siboga-Expedition. II. Die Primnoidae. Siboga-Expedition Monograph, 13 a, 1 - 187.","Thomson, J. A. & Simpson, J. J. (1909) An account of the alcyonarians collected by the Royal Indian Marine Survey Ship Investigator in the Indian Ocean. The Alcyonarians of the Littoral Area. The Indian Museum, Calcutta, 319 + xviii pp.","Wright E. & Studer, T. (1889) Report on the Alcyonaria collected by H. M. S. Challenger during the years 1873 - 1876. Report of the Scientific results of the voyage of H. M. S. Challenger during 1873 - 1876, Zoology, 31 (4), I - IXXII, 1 - 314.","Bayer, F. M. (1982) Some new and old species of the primnoid genus Callogorgia Gray, with a revalidation of the related genus Fanellia Gray (Coelenterata: Anthozoa). Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington, 95 (1), 116 - 160.","Rao, D. V. & Devi, K. (2003) Studies on the soft corals (Octocorallia: Alcyonacea) of Andaman Islands, Bay of Bengal. Records of the Zoological Survey of India, Occasional paper, 206, 1 - 99."]}

Ramvilas, Ghosh, Alderslade, Philip, Ranjeet, Kutty (2023): The taxonomy of Indian gorgonians: an assessment of the descriptive records of gorgonians (Anthozoa: Octocorallia: Alcyonacea) recorded as occurring in the territorial waters of India, along with neighbouring regions and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and the highlighting of perceived unethical practice. Zootaxa 5236 (1): 1-124, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5236.1.1

Callogorgia versluysi (Thomson, 1905) Primnoa ellisii Thomson & Henderson, 1905: 289 (off Galle and the Andaman Sea). Caligorgia versluysi Thomson, 1905: 172–175, pl. figs. 6, 15. (off Galle and the Andaman Sea). Callogorgia versluysi Bayer 1982: 122 (in key). Not Primnoa ellisii von Koch, 1887: 86–90, text fig. 5a; pl. 1, fig 8; pl. 3, fig 5; Pl. 7, figs. 37–38 (Mediterranean). Opinion: This species does occur in the region. Justification: These Indian records seem to be either invalid or unconfirmable: Fernando 2011: 130–131, pl. 94, fig. 1–1e (Kanyakumari), Fernando et al. 2017: 306, pl. 144, fig. 1–1h (Kanyakumari). Literature analysis: In 1905, Thomson & Henderson reported on a collection of octocorals collected by Professor Herdman in the vicinity of the Sri Lankan pearl oyster fisheries in the Gulf of Mannar and identified a specimen from that collection and one from the Andamans obtained by the Investigator as Primnoa ellisii von Koch, a Mediterranean species. Following the publishing of that paper, Versluys looked at the primnoids and advised the authors that von Koch’s species was the same as “ Caligorgia verticillata Pallas ” and that the Sri Lankan specimen was actually a new species of “ Caligorgia ”. Thomson (1905) then erected the new species “ Caligorgia versluysi ” for the Sri Lankan specimen, which is now accepted as being in the genus Callogorgia of which Caligorgia (sensu Wright & Studer, 1889) is a junior synonym. Thomson provided a drawing of a colony and of a single polyp, but no sclerites. The descriptions of the Indian material by Fernando (2011) and Fernando et al. (2017) are identical but clearly do not represent this species. From Thomson’s figure, the polyp body scales of Callogorgia versluysi have a distal margin that is only slightly toothed, the opercular scales seem to be shaped like an isosceles triangle, and the coenenchymal sclerites are broad, perhaps polygonal, scales. In Fernando (2011) and Fernando et al. (2017) the body scales have pronounced ridges forming a dentate margin (like those figured by von Koch for Primnoa ellisii), the apex of the operculars is thick and elongated, and the coenenchymal sclerites are elongate and irregular, some branched., Published as part of Ramvilas, Ghosh, Alderslade, Philip & Ranjeet, Kutty, 2023, The taxonomy of Indian gorgonians: an assessment of the descriptive records of gorgonians (Anthozoa: Octocorallia: Alcyonacea) recorded as occurring in the territorial waters of India, along with neighbouring regions and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and the highlighting of perceived unethical practice, pp. 1-124 in Zootaxa 5236 (1) on pages 107-108, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5236.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/7639327, {"references":["Thomson, J. A. (1905) Appendix to the report on the Alcyonaria collected by Professor Herdman, at Ceylon, in 1902. In: Herdman, W. A. (Ed.), Report to the Government of Ceylon on the Pearl Oyster Fisheries of the Gulf of Manaar, Part 4 (Supplementary Report), pp. 167 - 186, 1 pl.","Thomson, J. A. & Henderson, W. D. (1905) Report on the Alcyonaria collected by Professor Herdman, at Ceylon, in 1902. In: Herdman, W. A. (Eds.), Report of the Government of Ceylon on the Pearl Oyster Fisheries of the Gulf of Manaar. Part 3. Supplementary report. The Royal Society, London, pp. 269 - 238.","Bayer, F. M. (1982) Some new and old species of the primnoid genus Callogorgia Gray, with a revalidation of the related genus Fanellia Gray (Coelenterata: Anthozoa). Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington, 95 (1), 116 - 160.","Von Koch, G. (1887) Die Gorgoniden des Golfes von Neapel und der angrenzenden Meeresabschnitte. Fauna und Flora des Golfes von Neapel, 15, 1 - 99.","Fernando, S. A. (2011) Monograph on Gorgonids (Sea fans) of India. Centre of Advanced Study in Marine Biology, Faculty of Marine Sciences, Parangipettai, 145 pp.","Fernando, S. A, Venkataraman, K. & Raghunathan, C. (2017) Gorgonians of Indian sea. Director, Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata, 330 pp. Available from: https: // www. nhbs. com / (accessed 21 March 2022)","Wright E. & Studer, T. (1889) Report on the Alcyonaria collected by H. M. S. Challenger during the years 1873 - 1876. Report of the Scientific results of the voyage of H. M. S. Challenger during 1873 - 1876, Zoology, 31 (4), I - IXXII, 1 - 314."]}

Thouarella Gray, 1870, is one of the most speciose genera among gorgonians of the family Primnoidae (Cnidaria : Octocorallia : Anthozoa), being remarkably diverse in the Antarctic and sub-Antarctic seafloor. However, their diversity in the Southern Ocean is likely underestimated. Phylogenetic analyses of mitochondrial and nuclear DNA markers were integrated with species delimitation approaches as well as morphological colonial and polyps features and skeletal SEM examinations to describe and illustrate three new species within Thouarella, from the Weddell Sea, Southern Ocean: T. amundseni sp. nov., T. dolichoespinosa sp. nov. and T. pseudoislai sp. nov. Our species delimitation results suggest, for the first time, the potential presence of Antarctic and sub-Antarctic cryptic species of primnoids, based on the likely presence of sibling species within T. undulata and T. crenelata. With the three new species here described, the global diversity of Thouarella has increased to 41 species, 15 of which are endemic to the Antarctic and sub-Antarctic waters. Consequently, our results provide new steps for uncovering the shelf benthonic macrofauna’s hidden diversity in the Southern Ocean. Finally, we recommend using an integrative taxonomic framework in this group of organisms and species delimitation approaches because the distinctions between some Thouarella species based only on a superficial examination of their macro- and micromorphological features is, in many cases, limited.

—During 79th cruise of R/V Akademik Mstislav Keldysh twelve trawl hauls were collected in Powell Basin and adjacent area at depths 370–3771 m. The structure of the benthic assemblages was highly variable when considered at the macrotaxon level. The main factors shaping the taxonomical structure of the sampled assemblages were depth, near-bottom current velocities and proportion of the hard fraction of the sediment. Hard substrate assemblages of the Antarctic peninsula slope and Philip Ridge with high percentage of filter-feeders (mainly sponges) were associated with the highest values of the near-bottom tide currents (up to 55.6 cm/s). In several trawl hauls indicator species of vulnerable marine ecosystems—mainly Demospongiae sponges, deep-sea corals Stylasteridae (Hydrozoa) and Primnoidae (Octocorallia)—were collected.

Azooxanthellate corals are the most abundant macrofossils in the lower Pliocene deposits of the Manilva Basin (S Spain). In this paper, the cnidarian fossil assemblages have been studied in order to reconstruct the original communities and to depict the seascapes. Benthic foraminiferal assemblages associated with the corals have also been analysed to infer the palaeoenvironmental conditions in which they developed. Two sections have been studied. In the Canuto section, Coenosmilia fecunda dominates the cnidarian assemblage, followed by Asterosmilia cf. prolifera and Asterosmilia sp., which are all preserved as moulds and casts. Benthic foraminiferal assemblages indicate oligotrophic conditions and deposition from the middle platform to the upper slope. The Alamos section is characterized by Madrepora oculata, Dendrophyllia ramea, Asterosmilia cf. prolifera, Asterosmilia sp., Coenosmilia fecunda, and gorgonians of the Isididae family (most likely Keratoisis melitensis and/or Lepidisis longiflora), as well as a basal holdfast attributed to a member of either Primnoidae or the Chrysogorgiidae family. Here, corals preserve their original skeletons. Benthic foraminifers suggest deposition in oligotrophic conditions in mid–outer platform settings. Corals in the Canuto section formed autochthonous fossil assemblages, while in the Alamos section they were slightly displaced from their original growth positions to form parautochthonous fossil concentrations. The cnidarian community in the Canuto section was characterized by low-tier organisms either attached to hard substrates provided by skeletal remains (Coenosmilia fecunda) or inhabiting fine-grained bottoms (Asterosmilia spp.). In the Alamos section, Coenosmilia fecunda and Asterosmilia spp. occupied the lowest tier levels. The gorgonians, isidids and members of the Primnoidae or Chrysogorgiidae families, colonized both soft and hard substrates, dominating the next tier level. Finally, Madrepora oculata and Dendrophyllia ramea settled on submarine cliffs or on large blocks derived from substrate, inhabiting the highest position in the community. Large specimens of gorgonians could have also occupied this position.

Primnoella scotiae Thomson & Ritchie, 1906 Material examined: BBB 2016: St. 12; St. 13; St. 21; St. 28; St. 23; St. 26; St. 27; St. 32; St. 34; St. 38; St. 40. PD BB 2017: St. 5; St. 14; St. 16; St. 21; St. 23; St. 28; St. 30; St. 34; St. 35. GARCÍA 2015: St. 17bis (Fig. 2I) (MACN-In: 43505, 43506, 43507, 43508, 43509, 43510, 43511, 43512). Distribution: Mar del Plata (37º36’S, 54º46’W, 740 m) (Argentina) (Tixier-Durivault 1969 –70 as Primnoella compressa); off of Río de la Plata (Uruguay) (35°30’S, 52°50’W, 35°03’S, 52°45’W, 196–263 m) and Tierra del Fuego (Argentina) (54°23’S, 65°42’W, 164 m) (Pérez & Zamponi 2004 as P. compressa); Burdwood bank (54°25’S, 57°32’W, 95 m) (Thomson & Ritchie 1906); Iquique, Chile (Kükenthal 1919, as P. compressa); South Orkney Islands (60°14’30”S, 45°13’80”W, 8–12 m) (Peck & Brockington 2013); Off Chubut, Argentina (Patiño Cano 2013); off Staten Is., Burdwood bank (90–785 m) (present study). Remarks: A recent study included this species in the feeding preferences of the nudibranch Tritonia odhneri (García-Matucheski & Muniain 2011); a second had addressed its growth and included it as prey for the sea anemone Dactylanthus antarcticus (Peck & Brockington 2013). Several colonies presented epibionts like hydroids, bryozoans and ophiuroids. It was frequent in several stations of the current study and it is likely to be among those forming recently found pristine gorgonian habitats in Antarctic continental shelf (Ambroso et al. 2017; Schejter et al. 2020)., Published as part of Schejter, L., Genzano, G., Pérez, C. D., Acuña, F., Cordeiro, R. T. S., Silva, R. A., Garese, A. & Bremec, C. S., 2020, Checklist of Benthic Cnidaria in the SW Atlantic Ocean (54 ºS- 56 ºS), pp. 201-239 in Zootaxa 4878 (2) on page 224, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4878.2.1, http://zenodo.org/record/4424884, {"references":["Thomson, J. A. & Ritchie, J. (1906) The Alcyonarians of the Scottish National Antarctic Expedition. Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, 41 (3), 851 - 860.","Tixier-Durivault, A. (1969 - 70) Octocoralliaires. Campagne de la \" Calypso \" au large des cotes atlantiques de l'Amerique du Sud (1961 - 1962). Annales de L'Institut Oceanographic, Monaco, 47, 145 - 169.","Perez, C. D. & Zamponi, M. O. (2004) New records of octocorals (Cnidaria, Anthozoa) from Southwestern Atlantic Ocean. Zoogeographic considerations. Zootaxa, 630, 1 - 12. https: // doi. org / 10.11646 / zootaxa. 630.1.1","Kukenthal, W. (1919) Gorgonaria. Wissenschaftliche Ergebnisse der Tiefsee-Expedition Valdivia, 13 (2), 1 - 946.","Peck, L. S. & Brockington, S. (2013) Growth of the Antarctic octocoral Primnoella scotiae and predation by the anemone Dactylanthus antarcticus. Deep Sea Research Part II: Topical Studies in Oceanography, 92, 73 - 78. https: // doi. org / 10.1016 / j. dsr 2.2013.01.024","Patino Cano, L. P. (2013) Aislamiento y elucidacion estructural de metabolitos secundarios a partir de esponjas, corales, tunicados y briozoos del Atlantico sur y la Antartida. PhD Thesis, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, 304 pp.","Garcia-Matucheski, S. & Muniain, C. (2011) Predation by the nudibranch Tritonia odhneri (Opisthobranchia: Tritoniidae) on octocorals from the South Atlantic Ocean. Marine Biodiversity, 41, 287 - 297. https: // doi. org / 10.1007 / s 12526 - 010 - 0063 - y","Ambroso, S., Salazar, J., Zapata-Guardiola, R., Federwisch, L., Richter, C., Gili, J. M. & Teixido, N. (2017) Pristine populations of habitat forming gorgonian species on the Antarctic continental shelf. Scientific Reports, 7, 12251. https: // doi. org / 10.1038 / s 41598 - 017 - 12427 - y.","Schejter, L., Genzano, G., Gaitan, E., Perez, C. D. & Bremec, C. S. (2020) Benthic communities in the Southwest Atlantic Ocean: Conservation value of animal forests at the Burdwood bank slope. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems, 30, 426 - 439. https: // doi. org / 10.1002 / aqc. 3265"]}

Aglaoprimnoa stefanii Bayer, 1996 Material examined: BBB 2016: St. 21. Distribution: Off South Georgia (54°29’S, 39°22’W 659–686 m); Burdwood bank: (54°41’S, 56°59’W to 54°41’S, 57°03’W, 70 m; 54°39’S, 57°09’W to 54°39’S, 57°12’W, 124 m) (Bayer 1996a); Burdwood bank (785 m) (present study). Remarks: The occurrence of this species was expected, as the genus Aglaoprimnoa is monotypic and the Burdwood bank is its type locality., Published as part of Schejter, L., Genzano, G., Pérez, C. D., Acuña, F., Cordeiro, R. T. S., Silva, R. A., Garese, A. & Bremec, C. S., 2020, Checklist of Benthic Cnidaria in the SW Atlantic Ocean (54 ºS- 56 ºS), pp. 201-239 in Zootaxa 4878 (2) on page 222, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4878.2.1, http://zenodo.org/record/4424884, {"references":["Bayer, F. M. (1996 a) New Primnoid Gorgonians (Coelenterata: Octocorallia) from Antarctic Waters. Bulletin of Marine Science, 58 (2), 511 - 530."]}

Plumarella (Verticillata) castellviae Zapata-Guardiola, López-González & Gili, 2013 Material examined: BBB 2016: St. 13. PD BB 2017: St. 14; St. 16 (MACN-In 43504). Distribution: At present, P. castellviae, is only known from Sub-Antarctic waters from Tierra del Fuego and the Malvinas Islands to Burdwood bank in the Scotia Sea, between 120–2044 m depth (Zapata-Guardiola et al. 2013). It is here reported off Staten Is. (608 m) and at the MPA Namuncurá II. Remarks: This is the first report of this species after its description (see Zapata-Guardiola et al. 2013). Our specimen was a yellowish, uniplanar, pinnate colony, with five polyps per whorl and eight marginal sclerites with strong terminal thorn., Published as part of Schejter, L., Genzano, G., Pérez, C. D., Acuña, F., Cordeiro, R. T. S., Silva, R. A., Garese, A. & Bremec, C. S., 2020, Checklist of Benthic Cnidaria in the SW Atlantic Ocean (54 ºS- 56 ºS), pp. 201-239 in Zootaxa 4878 (2) on page 224, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4878.2.1, http://zenodo.org/record/4424884, {"references":["Zapata-Guardiola, R., Lopez-Gonzalez, P. J. & Gili, J. M. (2013) A review of the genus Mirostenella Bayer, 1988 (Octocorallia: Primnoidae) with a description of a new subgenus and species. Helgoland Marine Research, 67, 229 - 240. https: // doi. org / 10.1007 / s 10152 - 012 - 0318 - z"]}

Heptaprimnoa patagonica Cairns, 2012 Material examined: BBB 2016: St. 21. Distribution: Southwestern Atlantic off Argentina: continental slope off Mar del Plata, (40°00’S, 56°02’W, 520 m), continental slope off Patagonia (44.872°S, 59.635°W, 1248 m; 45.068°S, 59.501°W, 776 m; 45.605°S, 59.773°W, 1232 m); Malvinas Islands (48°54’S, 56°52’W, 780 m); Burdwood bank (54°10’S, 56°40’W, 265 m) (Cairns 2012); Burdwood bank (767 m) (present study). Remarks: One of the paratypes of this species was obtained from the Burdwood bank (54°10’S, 56°40’W, 265 m) (Cairns 2012). Cairns’s specimens are uniplanar colonies and dichotomously branched with 8–10 polyps per whorls, whereas our specimen is a liriform colony with 7–8 polyps in each whorl., Published as part of Schejter, L., Genzano, G., Pérez, C. D., Acuña, F., Cordeiro, R. T. S., Silva, R. A., Garese, A. & Bremec, C. S., 2020, Checklist of Benthic Cnidaria in the SW Atlantic Ocean (54 ºS- 56 ºS), pp. 201-239 in Zootaxa 4878 (2) on page 223, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4878.2.1, http://zenodo.org/record/4424884

Thouarella (Epithouarella) chilensis Kükenthal, 1908 Material examined: BBB 2016: St. 12; St. 13; St. 23; St. 26; St. 35; St. 36; St. 39; St. 40. Distribution: Tierra del Fuego, Argentina (54°34′S, 65°50′W, 118 m) (as T. antarctica) (Cairns & Bayer 2009); Iquique, Chile (Kükenthal 1919, as T. (Epithouarella) chilensis); Crozet Island, sub-Antarctic (46˚5’S, 51˚52’E, 1005 m), Sandwich Islands (56˚44’17”S, 26˚58’36”W, 302–375 m), Estados (54˚34’S, 64˚00’W, 84 m), Indian Ocean (53°18’S, 73°19’E, 250 m), Weddell Sea (71°05.9’S, 12°34’W, 522–531 m), Patagonian Shelf (40˚57’S, 56˚52’W, 200 m), Burdwood bank (52°59’S, 44°22.7’E, 295– 325 m) (Taylor et al. 2013; Schejter et al. 2016a); off Staten Is., Burdwood bank (125–681 m) (present study). Remarks: Synonyms at the area: Thouarella antarctica sensu Cairns & Bayer 2009 (= T. chilensis). As for most of Antactic primnoids, available information about T. chilensis is still limited to taxonomic works; a complete list of all these studies is given by Taylor et al. (2013), which recorded this species at the Burdwood bank area for the first time., Published as part of Schejter, L., Genzano, G., Pérez, C. D., Acuña, F., Cordeiro, R. T. S., Silva, R. A., Garese, A. & Bremec, C. S., 2020, Checklist of Benthic Cnidaria in the SW Atlantic Ocean (54 ºS- 56 ºS), pp. 201-239 in Zootaxa 4878 (2) on page 225, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4878.2.1, http://zenodo.org/record/4424884, {"references":["Cairns, S. D. & Bayer, F. M. (2009) A generic revision and phylogenetic analysis of the Primnoidae (Cnidaria: Octocorallia). Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology, 629, 1 - 79. https: // doi. org / 10.5479 / si. 00810282.629","Kukenthal, W. (1919) Gorgonaria. Wissenschaftliche Ergebnisse der Tiefsee-Expedition Valdivia, 13 (2), 1 - 946.","Taylor, M. L., Cairns, S. D., Agnew, D. & Rogers, A. D. (2013) A revision of the genus Thouarella Gray, 1870 (Octocorallia: Primnoidae), including an illustrated dichotomous key, a new species description, and comments on Plumarella Gray, 1870 and Dasystenella, Versluys, 1906. Zootaxa, 3602 (1), 1 - 105. https: // doi. org / 10.11646 / zootaxa. 3602.1.1","Schejter, L., Rimondino, C., Chiesa, I., Diaz de Astarloa, J. M., Doti, B. L., Elias, R., Escolar, M., Genzano, G., Lopez Gappa, J., Tatian, M., Zelaya, D. G., Cristobo, J., Perez, C. D., Cordeiro, R. T. & Bremec, C. S. (2016 a) Namuncura Marine Protected Area: an oceanic hot spot of benthic biodiversity at Burdwood bank, Argentina. Polar Biology, 39, 2373 - 2386. https: // doi. org / 10.1007 / s 00300 - 016 - 1913 - 2"]}

Thouarella (Epithouarella) viridis Zapata-Guardiola & Lopez-González, 2010 Material examined: BBB 2016: St. 18. Distribution: From South Georgia Island area (53º23’S, 42º42´W, 312–321 m; 54º24´S, 35º36´W, 278–279 m) and south east of Malvinas Islands, Burdwood bank (54°30´S, 56°08´W, 286–291 m) (Zapata Guardiola & López-González 2010a); Sars Seamount (59°42´S, 68°49´W, 520 m); Shackleton Fracture Zone (59°19.5S, 60°06.25W, 2295 m), off Cape Horn (57°00.33S, 67°35.1W, 450 m, 57°13.81S, 67°02.32W, 1100 m); Burdwood bank (54°31´S, 62°11´W, 330 m); Elephant Island (61°15´S, 56°24´W, 450 m) (as Thouarella cf. viridis) (Auscavitch & Waller 2017); South Georgia (54˚30’S, 39˚20’W, 659– 686 m), Tierra del Fuego, Argentina (54˚22’S, 64˚42’W, 106–110 m), Patagonian Shelf (42˚52’S, 58˚38’W, 1200 m), Malvinas Islands (52˚40’S, 60˚39’W, 405 m), Burdwood bank (54˚57’S, 56˚54’W, 500 m) (Taylor et al. 2013); Burdwood bank (607 m) (present study). Remarks: Zapata Guardiola & López-González (2010a) pointed that T. viridis resembles polyps of the genus Amphilaphis due to the prominent apical keel on the inner surface of the opercular scales. However, the branching pattern and the reduction in size of the basal body scales allocate this species among the Thouarella species, in which the presence of keels on the inner surface of operculars has been also documented., Published as part of Schejter, L., Genzano, G., Pérez, C. D., Acuña, F., Cordeiro, R. T. S., Silva, R. A., Garese, A. & Bremec, C. S., 2020, Checklist of Benthic Cnidaria in the SW Atlantic Ocean (54 ºS- 56 ºS), pp. 201-239 in Zootaxa 4878 (2) on page 225, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4878.2.1, http://zenodo.org/record/4424884, {"references":["Auscavitch, S. & Waller, R. (2017) Biogeographical patterns among deep sea megbenthic communities across the Drake Passage. Antarctic Science, 29 (6), 531 - 543. https: // doi. org / 10.1017 / S 0954102017000256","Taylor, M. L., Cairns, S. D., Agnew, D. & Rogers, A. D. (2013) A revision of the genus Thouarella Gray, 1870 (Octocorallia: Primnoidae), including an illustrated dichotomous key, a new species description, and comments on Plumarella Gray, 1870 and Dasystenella, Versluys, 1906. Zootaxa, 3602 (1), 1 - 105. https: // doi. org / 10.11646 / zootaxa. 3602.1.1"]}

Australisis sarmentosa Bayer & Stefani, 1987 Material examined: BBB 2016: St. 21. Distribution: South Shetland Islands, 61°19’– 61°21’S, 56°28’– 56°27’S, 403 m; off South Georgia: 54°29’S, 39°22’W, 659–686 m; 55°00.6’S, 37°42.6’W, 494–501 m; 53°27.1’S, 41°39.2’W, 371–424 m (Bayer & Stefani 1987). Remarks: This species was described 30 years ago, and this finding represents the first record after its description. The present record is the deepest for the species (785 m) and its first occurrence in the Burdwood bank area at MPA Namuncurá II., Published as part of Schejter, L., Genzano, G., Pérez, C. D., Acuña, F., Cordeiro, R. T. S., Silva, R. A., Garese, A. & Bremec, C. S., 2020, Checklist of Benthic Cnidaria in the SW Atlantic Ocean (54 ºS- 56 ºS), pp. 201-239 in Zootaxa 4878 (2) on pages 221-222, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4878.2.1, http://zenodo.org/record/4424884, {"references":["Bayer, F. M. & Stefani, J. (1987) New and previously known taxa of isidid octocorals (Coelenterata: Gorgonacea) partly from Antarctic waters. Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington, 100 (4), 937 - 991."]}

Thouarella (Thouarella) variabilis Wright & Studer, 1889 Material examined: BBB 2016: St. 16; St. 18. Distribution: Heard Island, 274 m, Prince Edward Island, 567 m, (Wright & Studer 1889); Antarctic, 350– 385m (Kükenthal 1919); Renaud Island, Biscoe Islands, Antarctic Peninsula (65˚30’S, 67˚31’W, 180 m; 76˚00’S, 55˚00’W, 457 m), Antipodes Island, New Zealand, (49˚51’S, 178˚35’E, 2010–2100 m) (Taylor et al. 2013); Burdwood bank (607–1000 m) (present study). Remarks: Synonyms: T. variabilis var. gracilis Wright & Studer, 1889. Thouarella variabilis was addressed in a recent study, testing its potential in paleorecords for changes in environmental conditions (Martinez-Dios et al. 2016). This species is one of the few Antarctic primnoids with some available ecological data in the literature. It was described in terms of its reproductive biology (Brito et al. 1995) and had its feeding behavior related to resuspension processes (Orejas et al. 2000). This is the first record of the species at Burdwood bank and at MPA Namuncurá II.

In this study we provide an updated checklist of benthic Cnidaria from SW Atlantic Ocean that comprised the Marine Protected Areas Namuncurá I and II, located at Burdwood bank, and other neighbouring locations. A total of 88 taxa was recorded: 36 hydrozoans and 52 anthozoans from which 32 were octocorals, 10 scleractinian corals, 8 sea anemones and 2 zoanthids. Burdwood bank presented the highest richness considering that 87% of the recorded species inhabit this plateau or its slope. Besides some common species widely distributed in the studied sub-areas, at least 24 species represent new distributional records while few were exclusively recorded at Burdwood bank. The inventory here provided will help to identify key habitat-forming species in a complex habitat where marine animal forests and vulnerable marine ecosystems were previously detected. It will be also a very valuable tool for the management and monitoring of the sub-areas under protection.

Thouarella spp. Material examined: 37 specimens not identified from four diferente morphotypes. BBB 2016: St. 12; St. 13; St. 18; St. 21; St. 28; St. 32; St. 36; St. 38; St. 40. PD BB 17: St. 9; St. 10; St. 16; St. 21; St. 23; St. 27; St. 29; St. 30; St. 43. GARCÍA 15: St. 17; St. 17bis. Distribution: Thouarella is the most speciose genus within the Family Primnoidae, especially diversified in subantarctic waters, mostly in depths from 400 to 5850 m (Taylor et al. 2013). Thouarella spp. were one of the dominant group in the studied area and were recorded at almost all stations (Schejter et al. 2020). Remarks: At least five species of Thouarella were already found in the Burdwood bank area: T. antarctica (Valenciennes, 1846), T. brucei Thomson & Ritchie, 1906, T. striata Kükenthal, 1907, T. chilensis Kükenthal, 1908, T. viridis Zapata-Guardiola & López-González, 2010 (Taylor et al. 2013); and one is first reported herein: T. variabilis Wright & Studer, 1889. Two potentially new species were identified from the Marine Protected Areas Namuncurá I and II, which did not fit in any species described so far. There are at least 38 valid Thouarella species (Núñez-Flores et al. 2020); however, as morphological plasticity is common among species of Thouarella, such as in T. variabilis Wright & Studer, 1889, further assessments (Scanning Electron Micrographies and COI, MutS sequencing) are needed in order to confirm if they are new species and identify at species level the four morphotypes analysed. This fact reinforces the still poorly known octocoral diversity in the region, despite several studies on that fauna., Published as part of Schejter, L., Genzano, G., Pérez, C. D., Acuña, F., Cordeiro, R. T. S., Silva, R. A., Garese, A. & Bremec, C. S., 2020, Checklist of Benthic Cnidaria in the SW Atlantic Ocean (54 ºS- 56 ºS), pp. 201-239 in Zootaxa 4878 (2) on pages 225-226, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4878.2.1, http://zenodo.org/record/4424884, {"references":["Taylor, M. L., Cairns, S. D., Agnew, D. & Rogers, A. D. (2013) A revision of the genus Thouarella Gray, 1870 (Octocorallia: Primnoidae), including an illustrated dichotomous key, a new species description, and comments on Plumarella Gray, 1870 and Dasystenella, Versluys, 1906. Zootaxa, 3602 (1), 1 - 105. https: // doi. org / 10.11646 / zootaxa. 3602.1.1","Schejter, L., Genzano, G., Gaitan, E., Perez, C. D. & Bremec, C. S. (2020) Benthic communities in the Southwest Atlantic Ocean: Conservation value of animal forests at the Burdwood bank slope. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems, 30, 426 - 439. https: // doi. org / 10.1002 / aqc. 3265","Thomson, J. A. & Ritchie, J. (1906) The Alcyonarians of the Scottish National Antarctic Expedition. Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, 41 (3), 851 - 860.","Wright, E. P. & Studer, T. (1889) Report onthe Alcyonaria collected by H. M. S. Challenger during the years 1873 - 1876. Report on the Scientific Results of the voyage of H. M. S. Challenger, Zoology, 31, 1 - 314.","Nunez-Flores, M., Gomez-Uchida, D. & Lopez-Gonzalez, P. J. (2020) Molecular and morphological data reveal three new species of Thouarella Gray, 1870 (Anthozoa: Octocorallia: Primnoidae) from the Southern Ocean. Marine Biodiversity, 50, 30. https: // doi. org / 10.1007 / s 12526 - 020 - 01053 - z"]}

Thouarella (Thouarella) antarctica (Valenciennes, 1846) Material examined: BBB 2016: St. 18; St. 28; St. 40. Distribution: Malvinas region (53˚00’S, 60˚00’W, 375 m; 51°55’S, 61°50’W, 200 m); off Staten Island (53°56’S, 63°40’W, 400 m, 54°34’S, 64°W, 84 m); off Patagonia (46°54’S, 60°28’W, 480 m); off Crozet Island (46°53’S, 51°52’E, 1005 m); Burdwood bank (53°56’S, 63°40’W, 400 m) (Taylor et al. 2013); Elephant Island (61°15´S, 56°24´W, 450 m)(Auscavitch&Waller 2017); Potter Cove, King George Island,Antarctic Peninsula (62°14′27′′S, 58°42′88′′W, 30–45 m) (Song et al. 2012); Burdwood bank (128–607 m) (present study). Remarks: Synonyms at the area: Primnoa antarctica Valenciennes, 1846. Not Thouarella antarctica Hickson 1907 (= unknown), Thouarella (Parathouarella) antarctica Kükenthal 1915. Not Thouarella (Euthouarella) antarctica Broch 1965 (= T. pendulina); Not Thouarella antarctica Cairns & Bayer 2009 (= T. chilensis). Taylor et al. (2013) pointed that an unseen sample was described from Crozet Island at 1005 m by Wright & Studer (1889), so the bathymetric and geographic ranges may be extended., Published as part of Schejter, L., Genzano, G., Pérez, C. D., Acuña, F., Cordeiro, R. T. S., Silva, R. A., Garese, A. & Bremec, C. S., 2020, Checklist of Benthic Cnidaria in the SW Atlantic Ocean (54 ºS- 56 ºS), pp. 201-239 in Zootaxa 4878 (2) on pages 224-225, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4878.2.1, http://zenodo.org/record/4424884, {"references":["Taylor, M. L., Cairns, S. D., Agnew, D. & Rogers, A. D. (2013) A revision of the genus Thouarella Gray, 1870 (Octocorallia: Primnoidae), including an illustrated dichotomous key, a new species description, and comments on Plumarella Gray, 1870 and Dasystenella, Versluys, 1906. Zootaxa, 3602 (1), 1 - 105. https: // doi. org / 10.11646 / zootaxa. 3602.1.1","Auscavitch, S. & Waller, R. (2017) Biogeographical patterns among deep sea megbenthic communities across the Drake Passage. Antarctic Science, 29 (6), 531 - 543. https: // doi. org / 10.1017 / S 0954102017000256","Song, J., Hwang, S. - J., Moon, H. & An, I. - Y. (2012) Taxonomic Study of Suborder Calcaxonia (Alcyonacea: Octocorallia: Anthozoa) from King Sejong Station, Antarctic. Animal Systematics, Evolution and Diversity, 28 (2), 84 - 96. https: // doi. org / 10.5635 / ASED. 2012.28.2.084","Hickson, S. J. (1907) Coelentera I. Alcyonaria. National Antarctic (Discovery) Expedition, Natural History, 3, 1 - 15.","Broch, H. (1965) Some octocorals from Antarctic waters. Scientific results of the \" Brategg \" Expedition, 1947 - 48, No. 5. Christensens Hvalfangstmus i Sandefjord, 26, 18 - 38.","Cairns, S. D. & Bayer, F. M. (2009) A generic revision and phylogenetic analysis of the Primnoidae (Cnidaria: Octocorallia). Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology, 629, 1 - 79. https: // doi. org / 10.5479 / si. 00810282.629","Wright, E. P. & Studer, T. (1889) Report onthe Alcyonaria collected by H. M. S. Challenger during the years 1873 - 1876. Report on the Scientific Results of the voyage of H. M. S. Challenger, Zoology, 31, 1 - 314."]}

Dasystenella acanthina (Wright & Studer, 1889) Material examined: BBB 2016: St. 26; St. 38. PD BB 2017: St. 16; St. 21; St. 43. GARCÍA 2015: St. 17bis (MACN-In: 43514, 43515, 43516, 43517). Distribution: off Río de la Plata (Argentina) (37°17’S, 52°20’W, 183 m) (Wright & Studer 1889); off Malvinas Islands (50°32’S, 63°03’W 150 m) (Pérez & Zamponi 2004); South Shetland Islands to Scotia Ridge between South Orkney Islands and South Sandwich Islands; abyssal plain west off Tierra del Fuego (150–5087 m) (Cairns 2006; Taylor et al. 2013); Terra Nova Bay, Antarctica (300 m) (Gavagnin et al. 2003); Burdwood bank (135 m) (present study). Remarks: This species was previously cited under several synonyms at this area: Stenella acanthina Wright & Studer, 1889; Stenella (Dasystenella) acanthina Versluys 1906; Thouarella longispinosa Kükenthal, 1912; Thouarella (Euthouarella) longispinosa Kükenthal 1915; Thouarella acanthina: Kukenthal, 1915. Cairns (2006) pointed that more southerly specimens differ slightly in having somewhat smaller polyps and marginal spines that are longer (up to 2.4 mm), especially in relation to their basal width (H:W up to 3.5) and that are slightly curved inward toward the operculum. Given this wide variation and the limited differences between specimens of T. longispinosa and the description of D. acanthina, Taylor et al. (2013) proposed that T. longispinosa be synonymised with D. acanthina, noting that a revision of Dasystenella is required., Published as part of Schejter, L., Genzano, G., Pérez, C. D., Acuña, F., Cordeiro, R. T. S., Silva, R. A., Garese, A. & Bremec, C. S., 2020, Checklist of Benthic Cnidaria in the SW Atlantic Ocean (54 ºS- 56 ºS), pp. 201-239 in Zootaxa 4878 (2) on page 223, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4878.2.1, http://zenodo.org/record/4424884, {"references":["Wright, E. P. & Studer, T. (1889) Report onthe Alcyonaria collected by H. M. S. Challenger during the years 1873 - 1876. Report on the Scientific Results of the voyage of H. M. S. Challenger, Zoology, 31, 1 - 314.","Perez, C. D. & Zamponi, M. O. (2004) New records of octocorals (Cnidaria, Anthozoa) from Southwestern Atlantic Ocean. Zoogeographic considerations. Zootaxa, 630, 1 - 12. https: // doi. org / 10.11646 / zootaxa. 630.1.1","Cairns, S. D. (2006) Studies on Western Atlantic Octocorallia (Coelenterata: Anthozoa). Part 6. The Genera Primnoella Gray, 1858; Thouarella Gray, 1870; Dasystenella Versluys, 1906. Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington, 119 (2), 161 - 194. https: // doi. org / 10.2988 / 0006 - 324 X (2006) 119 [161: SOWAOC] 2.0. CO; 2","Taylor, M. L., Cairns, S. D., Agnew, D. & Rogers, A. D. (2013) A revision of the genus Thouarella Gray, 1870 (Octocorallia: Primnoidae), including an illustrated dichotomous key, a new species description, and comments on Plumarella Gray, 1870 and Dasystenella, Versluys, 1906. Zootaxa, 3602 (1), 1 - 105. https: // doi. org / 10.11646 / zootaxa. 3602.1.1","Gavagnin, M., Mollo, E., Castelluccio, F., Crispino, A. & Cimino, G. (2003) Sesquiterpene metabolites of the antarctic gorgonian Dasystenella acanthina. Journal of Natural Products, 66 (11), 1517 - 1519. https: // doi. org / 10.1021 / np 030201 r"]}

Pyrogorgia lemnos (Bayer, 1998) Material examined: BBB 2016: St. 13; St. 21; St. 25. PD BB 2017: St. 13; St. 14 (MACN-In 43520). Distribution: Cape Horn (56°06’S, 66°19’W), 384–494 m; Off Staten Island (54°55.2’S, 64°09.2’S, 493–511 m) (Bayer 1998; Cairns & Bayer 2009); Drake Passage (Taylor 2011); off Staten Is. (608 m), Burdwood bank (467–785 m) (present study). Remarks: Synonyms at the area: Fannyella lemnos Bayer, 1998. This species resembles genera such as Callogorgia Gray, 1858 and Fanellia Gray, 1870 in polyp arrangement and strong sculpture of abaxial scales. It still has few records in the literature. Most specimens examined were juvenile, indicating a recent colonization in the area surveyed. This is the first record at Burdwood bank and both MPAs., Published as part of Schejter, L., Genzano, G., Pérez, C. D., Acuña, F., Cordeiro, R. T. S., Silva, R. A., Garese, A. & Bremec, C. S., 2020, Checklist of Benthic Cnidaria in the SW Atlantic Ocean (54 ºS- 56 ºS), pp. 201-239 in Zootaxa 4878 (2) on page 223, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4878.2.1, http://zenodo.org/record/4424884, {"references":["Bayer, F. M. (1998) A review of the circumaustral gorgonacean genus Fanyella Gray, 1879 with descriptions of five new species. Senckenbergiana biologica, 77 (2), 161 - 204.","Cairns, S. D. & Bayer, F. M. (2009) A generic revision and phylogenetic analysis of the Primnoidae (Cnidaria: Octocorallia). Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology, 629, 1 - 79. https: // doi. org / 10.5479 / si. 00810282.629","Taylor, M. L. (2011) Distribution and diversity of octocorals from longline by-catch around South Georgia, UK. Thesis, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College, London, 316 pp. https: // doi. org / 10.25560 / 9221"]}

Armadillogorgia cyathella Bayer, 1980 Material examined: BBB 2016: St. 13; St. 16; St. 18; St. 21; St. 40. PD BB 2017: St. 14; St. 43 (MACN-In: 43518, 43519). Distribution: Off South Georgia (54°29’S, 39°22’W to 54°31 ‘S, 39°19’W, 659–686 m); Scotia Sea (53°57’S, 55°54’W, 1879–1886 m) (Bayer 1980, 1996a); off Staten Island, Burdwood bank, (400–1000 m) (present study). Remarks: Some ophiuroids and Alcyonium sp. are found over the colonies. This represents the first record at Burdwood bank and MPA Namuncurá II., Published as part of Schejter, L., Genzano, G., Pérez, C. D., Acuña, F., Cordeiro, R. T. S., Silva, R. A., Garese, A. & Bremec, C. S., 2020, Checklist of Benthic Cnidaria in the SW Atlantic Ocean (54 ºS- 56 ºS), pp. 201-239 in Zootaxa 4878 (2) on pages 222-223, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4878.2.1, http://zenodo.org/record/4424884, {"references":["Bayer, F. M. (1980) Armadillogorgia cyathella and Ophidiogorgia paradoxa, Two New Genera and Species of Primnoid Octocorals (Coelenterata: Anthozoa) from South Georgia and South Orkney Islands. Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington, 93 (1), 216 - 228.","Bayer, F. M. (1996 a) New Primnoid Gorgonians (Coelenterata: Octocorallia) from Antarctic Waters. Bulletin of Marine Science, 58 (2), 511 - 530."]}

Environmental conditions of deep-sea corals were monitored with instruments placed in and adjacent to three Hawaiian deep-sea coral patches dominated by gorgonian octocorals and zoanthid gold coral. Temperature, backscatter, and flow differed among and within the patches and highlighted distinctions in distribution of focus taxa (Hemicorallium laauense, Pleurocorallium secundum, Narella spp., Acanella dispar, Kulamanamana haumeaae). Two of the patches (Barbers Pt., Makapuʻu Pt.) had more than double the sustained mean flow of the third patch (Keahole Pt.), where backscatter levels of the passing water mass showed scattering strengths a third higher, suggesting greater food supply in the water at the Keahole Pt. patch. Further, spectral analysis of flow speed and direction suggests that flow at the first two high-flow sites (Barbers Pt., Makapuʻu Pt.) are dominated by semi-diurnal tidal forcing (flow changing 4x daily, direction 2x daily), while Keahole Pt. patch shows a distinct pattern more typical of diurnal forcing. Of the focus taxa, the two coralliids occupied a similar temperature range but differed in dominance between sites along a flow/scatter gradient, with the “red” coral, Hemicorallium laauense, found at the site with low flow (0.5-4.9 cm/s) and higher scatter (-28 dB) and the “pink” coral, Pleurocorallium secundum, seen at the patch with higher sustained flow (12.6-18.4 cm/s) and lower backscatter (-43 dB). Narella spp. spanned a 10 °C temperature range but were found more frequently at sites with the highest mean flow (18.4-21.7 cm/s). The final two corals, the parasitic zoanthid “gold” coral, Kulamanamana haumeaae, and its most common host, bamboo coral, Acanella dispar, were found at all three sites over a wide temperature range with flow ranging from 2.8 to 18.9 cm/s. The number of gold colonies was negatively correlated with flow even though that relationship was not apparent for the bamboo coral. These patterns were considered in relation to what is known about the life history of deep-sea corals and how they might influence community settlement, growth, and diversity.

Thirteen species of deep-water calcaxonian octocorals belonging to the families Primnoidae, Chrysogorgiidae, and Isididae collected from off the Galápagos and Cocos Islands are described and figured. Seven of these species are described as new; nine of the 13 are not known outside the Galápagos region. Of the four species occurring elsewhere, two also occur in the eastern Pacific, one off Hawaii, and one from off Antarctica. A key to the 22 Indo-Pacific species of Callogorgia is provided to help distinguish those species.