Caryophyllia squiresi Cairns 1982

Caryophyllia squiresi Cairns, 1982

Figs. 2 F–G, 7

Caryophyllia squiresi Cairns, 1982: 16, pl. 4, figs. 5–9, map 3.—Cairns et al., 2005: 33.—Kitahara, Cairns & Miller, 2010: 113 (key).

Remarks. This species was well described in the original description. It is characterized by having a thin, fragile, somewhat translucent theca that has a porcellaneous exterior, similar to that of a flabellid. Its septa are non-exsert, the calicular margin a series of equal-sized, equilaterally-shaped triangles. The axial edges of the S3 and the outer edges of the P3 are only slightly sinuous, and the septa are widely spaced, giving the impression of space within the corallum. It is similar to C. antarctica but differs in having a thinner theca, non-exsert septa, less sinuous septal and palar axial edges, more uniplanar septa (lacking in tall, rectangular septal face granules), and fewer and larger columellar elements (see Kitahara et al. 2010).

Distribution. Previously known only from off Tierra del Fuego and the Falkland Islands at 406–659 m, these records extend its range slightly north (fig. 7) and expand its bathymetric range to 158–1629 m.

Material. PAT0108DR1, 1, MNCN; PAT0108DR11, 1, MNCN, and 1, USNM 1193275; PAT0108DR12, 1, MNCN; PAT0108DR14, 2, MNCN; PAT1008DR4, 4, MNCN; PAT1008DR6, 1, MNCN; PAT1008DR8, 3, MNCN; PAT1008DR9, 1, MNCN; PAT1108DR10, 2, MNCN; PAT1108DR11, 1, MNCN; PAT1208DR4, 1, MNCN; PAT1208DR6, 10, MNCN and 1, USNM 1193276; PAT1208DR7, 2, MNCN; PAT1208DR11, 4, MNCN; PAT1208DR14, 6, MNCN; PAT1208DR16, 2, MNCN; PAT1208DR17, 1, USNM 1193274; PAT0209DR5, 4, MNCN; PAT0209DR9, 3, MNCN; PAT0210DR9, 2, MNCN; PAT0210DR10, 1, USNM 1193273; ATL09Lo92, 1, MNCN; ATL09Lo93, 1, MNCN.