Primnoidae (Octocorallia: Calcaxonia) from the Emperor Seamounts, with Notes on Callogorgia elegans (Gray, 1870).

Six primnoid species are reported from depths of 280 - 480 m from the southern Emperor Seamounts, including two new species (Callogorgia imperialis and Thouarella taylorae). Only the new species are fully described and illustrated. Also, Callogorgia elegans, which has a confused taxonomic history, is discussed and illustrated. Not unexpectedly, the Emperor Seamount primnoids have a strong affinity with the fauna of the Hawaiian Islands, an affinity that is expected to increase as more collecting is done in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]