Deltocyathus heteroclitus Wells 1984

New Caledonia waters from 20°15.77’S, 163°50.21’E to 21°06.67’S, 164°27.62’E (Kitahara & Cairns, 2009), 245-600 m. Previous records: Wallis and Futuna region, 349-355 m, and Vanuatu region (Cairns 1999), 208-210 m, including late Pleistocene of Espiritu Santo (Wells 1984).

Corallum polygonal and lancetted in calicular margin, each lancet corresponding to each P3 and P4.Base conical with a pointed centre, but sometimes specimens show a large depression in the middle to the base. All costae well developed and equal sized, extending from calicular margin to centre of the base, being separated by shallow intercostal furrows. However, when fl anked, C3 is broader and most prominent costae, extending up to 1 mm beyond the calicular edge forming robust costal spines, not reaching the centre of the base. All costae bear several granules near calicular edge, sometimes becoming a row near the middle of the base. Septa hexamerally arranged in four cycles (S1>S2> S4>S3), however, no specimen examined have a complete fourth cycle, usually resulting in 39-42 septa. Number of spines (C3) dependent of number of fl anked S3. S1 only independent septa extend- ing ½ to ¾ distance to columella, being separated from a lamellar palus by a slender notch. S2 slightly smaller than S1 but bear a wider palus. S3 dimorphic in size: those unfl anked by S4 slightly smaller than S2, being fused by axial edges to adjacent P2; however, those S3 flanked by S4 are the smallest septa, but bear the widest and tallest paliform lobe, and sometimes 2 or 3 small paliform teeth near columella. P3 high granular, sinuous in upper edge, and are the most recessed pali from columella. S4 fuse to adjacent P3 through a solid lamella at the level of S3-P3 notch. All septal faces granulated and slightly sinuous in upper edge. Fossa shallow containing an elliptical papillose columella composed by several granular elements.

Deltocyathus heteroclitus est une espèce de coraux appartenant à la famille des Deltocyathidae ou Caryophylliidae.

azooxanthellate

208-335 m