Axinella waltonsmithi (de Laubenfels 1953)

Axinella waltonsmithi (de Laubenfels, 1953)

Homaxinella waltonsmithi de Laubenfels, 1953:533 [holotype, USNM 23407].—Wells and Wells in Wells et al., 1960:222 [USNM 23660].

Phakellia folium.—Pearse and Williams, 1951:136 [listed only; same specimen described by Wells and Wells in Wells et al., 1960:223].—Wells and Wells in Wells et al., 1960:223 [USNM 23664]. [Not Phakellia folium Schmidt, 1870:62.]

Thalyseurypon carteri.—Pearse and Williams, 1951:136 [listed only; same specimen described by Wells and Wells in Wells et al., 1960:222, as Homaxinella waltonsmithi]. [Not Clathria carteri Topsent, 1889.]

(?)Homaxinella waltonsmithi.—Storr, 1964:42 [distribution off Florida coast]; 1976:269 [distribution in the Gulf of Mexico].

Axinella waltonsmithi.—Alvarez and Crisp, 1994:119 [cited only].

MATERIAL EXAMINED.—Nontypes: North Carolina: USNM 32654 (SE Wilmington, 33°31′30″N, 77°23′42″W, 30 m, coll. DU for MMS), USNM 33593 (SW Cape Lookout, 34°23′42″N, 76°34′00″W, 22 m, coll. DU for MMS, 9 Feb 1981). South Carolina: USNM 33341 (NE Charleston, 32°49′18″N, 78°40′00″W, 33 m, coll. SCMR for MMS), USNM 33544 (off Charleston, 32°29′12″N, 79°42′54″W, 18 m, coll. SCMR for MMS, 15 Apr 1980). Georgia: USNM 42760 (NE Brunswick, 31°23′42″N, 80°53′06″W, 17 m, coll. GMR for MMS, 4 Mar 1981). Gulf of Mexico: USNM 34171 (22), USNM 39681 (21), USNM 39840 (2), USNM 39844 (19), USNM 39845 (7), USNM 42751 (37), USNM 42752 (39), USNM 42754 (40), USNM 42755 (42), USNM 42757 (44), USNM 42758 (44). Representative collection from the same area in ZMA.

SHAPE.—Two basic shapes: flabellate-pedunculate with some digital processes or crenulate margins (large specimens more complex with several folded lettuce-like fronds) (Figure 1a); and bushy with wide branches and crenulate edges rising from peduncle or broad base.

SURFACE.—Smooth to the touch, like chamois, or rougher, as in many bushy-shaped specimens. Vein-like depressions (2–5 mm wide), covered with transparent membranes in some specimens, run lengthwise, generally in one face of frond or branch; pores, 2–3 mm in diameter, located in depressions; some specimens without depressions, completely smooth on both sides. Bushy-shaped specimens pierced with small pores, approximately 0.5 mm in diameter. Epizoic zoanthids common in many specimens.

COLOR.—Reported as bright orange red when alive (de Laubenfels, 1953). Purple, dark brown, light brown, purple brown, or beige in alcohol.

SKELETON (Figure 1b,c).—Axial and extra-axial skeleton with reticulation of primary lines of 5 or more spicules (3–10 μm thick) connected by secondary lines of 1–5 spicules. Both primary and secondary lines cemented and enveloped by spongin. Primary lines run parallel to sponge axis in axial skeleton; lateral condensation of reticulation obvious in column of attachment, especially in specimens of flabellate-pedunculate shape. Axial reticulation in bushy-shaped specimens more confused, isotropic with rounded meshes or laterally condensed at central column, but not as much as in specimens of flabellate-pedunculate shape. Primary lines in extra-axial skeleton ascending from axis to surface; generally plumose or “wispy” near margins of fronds of flabellate-pedunculate specimens; ending in projecting spicules at surface, piercing layers of spongin commonly present in some areas of periphery.

Specimen Styles Oxeas

South Carolina

USNM 33341

length 220–250 (235.6±10.4) 320–420 (360.0±52.9)[3]

width 10–15 (12±1.9) 7.5–12.5 (10.8±2.9)[3]