A revision of the genus Leptogorgia Milne Edwards & Haime, 1857 (Coelenterata: Octocorallia: Gorgoniidae) in the eastern Pacific

Abstract

The species of the widespread gorgoniid genus Leptogorgia, which occur along the eastern Pacific, are taxonomically revised based on original type material of all species described until now and reference specimens from recent surveys and expeditions along the Pacific coast of Panama, and Costa Rica. As a result, 21 species are recognized as valid and one as dubious. Lectotypes are assigned for eight species in order to establish their taxonomic status. All the species are described and illustrated. The fauna herein reported does not represent overall diversity or geographical range of each species but adds new reports. The present count is 16 species for Panama, 11 for Costa Rica, 7 for Mexico, 6 for El Salvador, 4 for Peru, 4 for Ecuador, 3 for Colombia, 2 for California, 2 for Nicaragua, and 2 for Chile.

New records of the genera <em>Leptogorgia, Pacifigorgia</em> and <em>Eugorgia</em> (Octocorallia: Gorgoniidae) from Ecuador, with a description of a new species

“…However, our material shows smaller spindles (up to 0.14×0.03 mm, Table 2) with a less marked ornamentation. In the same way, the anthocodial rods are considered very consistent in size and shape (long and conspicuous) in this species (up to 0.15 mm in length) (Breedy and Guzmán 2007). However, the examined Ecuadorian material shows a smaller maximum length (up to 0.08 mm).…”

“…Although Leptogorgia alba has already been collected in Ecuador (Galápagos Islands) (Breedy and Guzmán 2007); this is the first time that it has been found on the continental coast since the paper of Bielschowsky (1929).…”

“…Lepto gorgia alba has been reported in Mexico, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, and the Galápagos Islands (Ecuador) (Duchassaing and Michelotti 1864, Bielschowsky 1929, Breedy and Guzmán 2007, at 3-30 m depth (Fig. 25A).…”

“…Due to its white colour, it is easily recognizable underwater. Breedy and Guzmán (2007) considered that its morphological variability, especially the type of branching, could perhaps be a response to several environmental factors. In our samples we observe a more pinnate pattern, although there is a tendency towards a dichotomous branching in some specimens.…”

A New Species of Leptogorgia (Cnidaria: Anthozoa: Octocorallia) from the Mexican Pacific Coast

“…Sclerites were prepared for light and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) following the standard techniques for structural analysis (Bayer 1961, Breedy andGuzman 2002). Comparison among species is based on the characteristics of holotypes and lectotypes (Breedy and Guzman 2007, Guzman and Breedy 2008, Breedy and Cortés 2011.The holotype and paratypes were deposited in the Museo de Zoología, Universidad de Costa Rica (MZUCR, former UCR).…”