Leptopenus
Moseley, 1881, p. 204
Type Species
L. discus Moseley, 1881, p 205, pl. 14, figs. 1-4, pl. 16, figs. 1-7; Subsequent Designation Wells, 1936, p. 115
Type Specimen: Syntype; NHMUK 80.11.25.158-159; Verified; Dry Preserved
Type Locality: Recent: southern Indian and Atlantic Oceans, 3034-3564 m
4 syntypes
Classification
Diagnosis
Corallum extremely fragile and highly porous; costae composed of thin dentate ridges that extend far beyond the calice to form a delicate marginal shelf; septa rudimentary, composed primarily of a series if tall spines; synapticulae absent; columella spiny.
Comparisons
Similar to Letepsammia, but differing in having highly reduced (porous) septa.
Remarks
The genus, consisting of four exclusively Recent species, was revised by Cairns (1989). Except for Fungiacyathus, this is the deepest living scleractinian coral.
This page has been in preparation since 04-Aug-2008 14:05
This version was contributed by Stephen D. Cairns on 20-Nov-2008 19:56.
Page authors are: Stephen D. Cairns. Please contact the editor if you would like to contribute to the diagnosis of this taxon.
The editor is: Stephen D. Cairns
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