| OCR Text |
Show 1892.] DR. S. J. HICKSON ON ALCYONARIA STOLONIFERA. 595 Perceval Wright, and Studer, but a renewed investigation of the genera belonging to the suborder has convinced him that the proposed classification is perfectly justified. The suborder Stolonifera may be defined as follows:- Colonial Alcyonaria with a membranous or ribbon-like stolon. Mesoglcea poorly developed. Polyps either entirely free from one another except at their bases, or connected by horizontal platforms (Tubipora) or connecting tubes (Clavularia viridis and the fossil Syringopora). Skeleton composed of calcareous spicules which may be joined together to form firm tubes, or free from one another, or absent. In some cases the body-walls supported by a horny secretion. The suborder Stolonifera contains two families: Tubiporidae and Clavulariidae. The family Tubiporidae contains one genus : Tubipora. The family Clavulariidae contains four genera: Clavularia, Cornvldria, Stereosoma, and Sympodium, and probably Syrinyopora. The genus Cornularia may be defined as follows :- Clavulariidae without spicules. Stolons with a simple cavity. Polyps retractile. The basal parts of the polyps and stolon protected by a horny secretion. The genus Clavularia may be defined as follows :- Clavulariidae with a membranous or retiform creeping stolon into which the polyps cannot be completely retracted. Spicules usually present. No homy secretion of the ectoderm formed. The genus Sympodium may be defined as follows:- Clavulariidae with a thick plate-like stolon into which the polyps may be completely retracted. The genus Stereosoma may be defined as follows :- Clavulariidae forming small colonies, consisting of stiff non-retractile polyps situated at considerable intervals from one another on a thick plate-like stolon. Tentacles non-retractile. Pinnae few and widely separated from one another. Spicules absent. Rhizoxenia, Sarcodictyon, Anihelia, Gymnosarca, Cyathopodium, and Cornulariella can no longer be retained as separate genera, as it is impossible to separate them from the genus Clavularia. The species of these genera therefore become species of Clavularia. The following new species of Stolonifera are described:- Stereosoma celebense, from tbe shore reefs of Talisse Island, North Celebes. Clavularia garcice, from Diego Garcia, shallow water. Clavularia reptans, 5-20 fathoms off Talisse Island, N. Celebes. Clavularia celebensis, shallow water, Talisse Island, N. Celebes. The following species previously named by tbe author in the Proc. Royal Society of Victoria are described in detail for the first time: - Clavularia australiensis, varieties A & B. Clavularia ramosa. Clavularia filava. |
