taxonID	type	description	language	source
039887DDEB7B8F7041BED27327D0FF0E.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. Colonies relatively small, generally not more than about 25 cm tall, very sparsely branched usually only to the second order, but possibly up to the fourth order, with long branches disposed on all sides of the stem and lower-order branches. Branch angles usually very wide, 90 º or greater. Spines conical in lateral view, laterally compressed, acute; with scattered tubercles on their surface, usually near the apex. Tubercles predominantly on the polypar spines, Polyps up to 3.6 mm in transverse diameter, and arranged in a single row.	en	Opresko, Dennis M., Bo, Marzia, Stein, David P., Evankow, Ann, Distel, Daniel L., Brugler, Mercer R. (2021): Description of two new genera and two new species of antipatharian corals in the family Aphanipathidae (Cnidaria: Anthozoa: Antipatharia). Zootaxa 4966 (2): 161-174, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4966.2.4
039887DDEB7B8F7041BED27327D0FF0E.taxon	type_taxon	Type species. Anozopathes hawaiiensis sp. nov.	en	Opresko, Dennis M., Bo, Marzia, Stein, David P., Evankow, Ann, Distel, Daniel L., Brugler, Mercer R. (2021): Description of two new genera and two new species of antipatharian corals in the family Aphanipathidae (Cnidaria: Anthozoa: Antipatharia). Zootaxa 4966 (2): 161-174, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4966.2.4
039887DDEB7B8F7041BED27327D0FF0E.taxon	discussion	Remarks. A sample of the holotype of the type species, Anozopathes hawaiiensis sp. nov., as well as the holotype of Anozopathes palauensis sp. nov. (see below) were included in a DNA sequencing study using mitochondrial nad 5 - IGR- nad 1 (Chery et al. 2018; digital poster presentation available upon request to MRB) and the results showed that both species grouped within the family Aphanipathidae (Fig. 1). On the basis of the growth form of the corallum, the genus is intermediate between densely branched morphotypes in the genus Aphanipathes and the new aphanipathid genus Aphanostichopathes (see below) comprised of species previously assigned to the genus Stichopathes, and represented by Aphanostichopathes cf. dissimilis Roule, 1902, 1905, in Figure 1 (Note: Aphanostichopathes cf. dissimilis was originally presented in Chery et al. as Stichopathes dissimilis; however, examination of the SEMs of the spines of the type specimen of S. dissimilis indicate that it may not be conspecific with Roule’s species). Based on K 2 P genetic distance estimates for nad 5 - IGR- nad 1, the two species of Anozopathes are genetically much closer to the Aphanostichopathes cf. dissimilis (with genetic distances of 0.0021 – 0.0044) than to the Aphanipathes / Phanopathes clade (genetic distances 0.1736 – 0.1966) in Figure 1. Both Anozopathes species are genetically identical using the nad 5 - IGR- nad 1 region; however, this gene region does not have the same power to resolve species as the cox 3 - IGR- cox 1 region (which was not successfully sequenced). Note: the species identified as Stichopathes cf. flagellum in Fig. 1 has faint morphological features indicating that it might also belong in the family Aphanipathidae; however, the fact that it groups with a morphologically unrelated aphanipathid genus, Acanthopathes, requires further study. Several previously described genera were also based on species forming sparsely branched colonies. Brook (1889) created the genus Pteropathes for a branched species (P. fragilis; holotype NHMUK 90.4.9.9) with long straight branches, many of which have a very narrow distal branch angle. In addition, some of the branches (up to five in a row) are arranged uniserially. Based on Brook’s illustration, the polypar spines are estimated to be up to 0.54 mm tall and appear to be smooth, without tubercles. The polyps are arranged in a single row, and are 2 – 3 mm in transverse diameter (4 – 5 per cm with very little coenenchyme between adjacent ones). The uniserial branching and the narrow distal branch angles suggest that Pteropathes might be related to species of Antipathes or Aphanipathes. The very large spines are more typical of some species of Aphanipathes. The spines need to be re-examined more closely with an SEM to determine if there is evidence of tubercles. Van Pesch (1914) created the genus Hillopathes for a species (H. ramosa) with very sparse branching that he had first thought was a species of Cirrhipathes (van Pesch, 1910). As in Cirrhipathes, the polyps in H. ramosa are not arranged uniserially, but are crowded together on one side of the axis giving the appearance that they are in multiple rows. Van Pesch (1914) considered the presence of branches to be a generic level character. The spines in H. ramosa were reported to be up to 0.39 mm in height, and van Pesch thought that this might suggest a relationship to Aphanipathes; however, the spines were described by van Pesch (1914) as being smooth. The absence of tubercles on the spines does not preclude the genus from being related to the family Aphanipathidae; however, the non-uniserial arrangement of the polyps would support the conclusion that Hillopathes is not related to Anozopathes. Also, it is quite possible that the specimens of Hillopathes that van Pesch described were actually specimens of Cirrhipathes that had been broken off at the growing tip and then underwent regeneration producing several separate growing tips. Breakage of the apical portions of black coral whips by strong currents is known to be a common occurrence on the reefs of Indonesia (Bo et al. 2009).	en	Opresko, Dennis M., Bo, Marzia, Stein, David P., Evankow, Ann, Distel, Daniel L., Brugler, Mercer R. (2021): Description of two new genera and two new species of antipatharian corals in the family Aphanipathidae (Cnidaria: Anthozoa: Antipatharia). Zootaxa 4966 (2): 161-174, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4966.2.4
039887DDEB7B8F7041BED27327D0FF0E.taxon	etymology	Etymology. The genus name is derived from the Greek “ anozos ” meaning few or no branches, and the commonly used suffix “ pathes ”.	en	Opresko, Dennis M., Bo, Marzia, Stein, David P., Evankow, Ann, Distel, Daniel L., Brugler, Mercer R. (2021): Description of two new genera and two new species of antipatharian corals in the family Aphanipathidae (Cnidaria: Anthozoa: Antipatharia). Zootaxa 4966 (2): 161-174, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4966.2.4
039887DDEB798F7541BED432233DFEC6.taxon	description	(Figs 2 – 3)	en	Opresko, Dennis M., Bo, Marzia, Stein, David P., Evankow, Ann, Distel, Daniel L., Brugler, Mercer R. (2021): Description of two new genera and two new species of antipatharian corals in the family Aphanipathidae (Cnidaria: Anthozoa: Antipatharia). Zootaxa 4966 (2): 161-174, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4966.2.4
039887DDEB798F7541BED432233DFEC6.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined. Holotype: USNM 1010741 (NMNH SEM stub 171), Hawaii, Penguin Bank, Molakai, 21.974 ºN, 157.369 ºW, DSR / V Pisces IV, Dive 066 (spec. 4), 298 m, Hawaii Undersea Research Laboratory, coll. E. Chave, 27 Oct 2002. Paratype: USNM 99927, Hawaii, French Frigate Shoals, 23.9175 ºN, 165.368 ºW, R / V Townsend Cromwell, SANGO Exped. XIII, 353 – 381 m, coll. R. Grigg, 21 Aug 1972. Type locality. Hawaii, Penguin Bank, 298 m.	en	Opresko, Dennis M., Bo, Marzia, Stein, David P., Evankow, Ann, Distel, Daniel L., Brugler, Mercer R. (2021): Description of two new genera and two new species of antipatharian corals in the family Aphanipathidae (Cnidaria: Anthozoa: Antipatharia). Zootaxa 4966 (2): 161-174, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4966.2.4
039887DDEB798F7541BED432233DFEC6.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. Colonies small, very sparsely branched to the second order but possibly up to the fourth order based on in situ photos; with long, curved and crooked branches disposed irregularly on all sides of the stem. Branch angles usually close to 90 º. Polypar spines up to 0.25 mm tall, 0.7 – 0.9 mm apart, with 2 – 3 spines per mm in each row. Polypar spines with up to six small conical tubercles visible near the apex in lateral view. Polyps up to 3.6 mm in transverse diameter, arranged in a single series, with three to five polyps per cm.	en	Opresko, Dennis M., Bo, Marzia, Stein, David P., Evankow, Ann, Distel, Daniel L., Brugler, Mercer R. (2021): Description of two new genera and two new species of antipatharian corals in the family Aphanipathidae (Cnidaria: Anthozoa: Antipatharia). Zootaxa 4966 (2): 161-174, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4966.2.4
039887DDEB798F7541BED432233DFEC6.taxon	description	Description of holotype. The holotype (USNM 1010741) is about 24 cm tall and 15 cm wide, and has a basal stem diameter of about 2 mm (Fig. 2 A). The main stem is 41 cm long and curved and coiled at its upper end. The branching is very sparse, and only to the second order. The branches are long, flexible and curved to varying degrees. The longest branch measures about 18 cm and is 1 mm in diameter at the base. The branches are spaced varying distances apart, with distal branch angles mostly around 90 º. The spines (Fig. 2 C – D) appear conical in side view, but are distinctly compressed laterally. Most are slightly inclined distally. The shape of the spines is not uniform; in some the proximal and distal edges are relatively straight whereas in others the proximal edge near the base is flared out in a shallow slope. On a section of a branch 0.3 mm in diameter the polypar spines reach a maximum size of about 0.24 mm (as measured from middle of base to apex) and the abpolypar spines are about 0.13 mm. On a section of a branch 0.4 mm in diameter the polypar spines reach a maximum size of about 0.25 mm and the abpolypar spines are about 0.15 mm. Most of the polypar spines have a few conical tubercles near the apex; the apex itself is generally smooth and rounded. The abpolypar spines are less likely to have tubercles, but even some polypar spines are lacking tubercles. The conical tubercles are up to 0.005 mm tall; and up to six can be seen in one lateral view; however, on many spines fewer than six are visible in lateral view. The spines nearer the distal end of the branches have very few if any tubercles. Four to six longitudinal rows of spines can be seen in one lateral view (excluding rows in which the spines are only partially visible). Within each row the spines are mostly 0.7 – 0.9 mm apart, resulting in about two spines per mm. On the stem the spines are about 0.14 mm tall and similar in shape to those on the branches. In some places the bases of the spines in one row are joined together into a continuous ridge-like structure. The polyps are arranged in a single row (Fig. 2 B). In the preserved state most measure about 3 mm in transverse diameter (from the distal side of the base of the distal lateral tentacles to the proximal side of the base of the proximal lateral tentacles), but in a few places some reach a size of about 3.6 mm. The interpolypar space is close to 0.5 mm, and there are about three polyps per cm. The tentacles in the preserved state are 2 mm in length, and there is no apparent difference in the size of the sagittal and lateral tentacles. Species variation. The paratype (USNM 99927) is similar to the holotype in general appearance with a few long, thick branches. The polypar spines are up to 0.22 mm tall, but most are 0.18 mm or less. On the 1.5 mm thick stem the spines are about 0.16 mm tall. In this specimen the polyps, 2 to 2.5 mm in transverse diameter, are smaller than those in the holotype, and the polyp density is correspondingly greater (about five polyps per cm). Comparisons. One other species is assigned to the genus, Anozopathes palauensis sp. nov. (see description below). The two species have a similar growth form, with sparse branching and wide distal branch angles; however, the branches in A. hawaiiensis sp. nov. tend to be rather crooked and orientated in different directions whereas those in A. palauensis sp. nov. are mostly curved upward. The major difference between the two species is in the size and shape of the spines (Table 2). The polypar spines in A. hawaiiensis are up to 0.25 mm and relatively narrow, whereas those in A. palauensis are shorter, up to 0.14 mm, and have a relatively wide base with a very shallow sloping proximal edge. Although the number of rows of spines is similar in the two species, the spines in A. hawaiiensis appear to be slightly more distant and have slightly fewer tubercles (up to about 6 vs. up to 8, as seen in lateral view). The size and density of the polyps in the two species overlap; however, the polyps in A. hawaiiensis reach a greater maximum size (3.6 mm in transverse diameter). Anozopathes hawaiiensis sp. nov. is similar in external appearance to small colonies of Antipathes dichotoma Pallas, 1766; the polyps are of similar size, and the general morphology of the spines is similar (Opresko, 2003; Bo et al. 2011). The one major difference is that the spines of A. hawaiiensis sp. nov. have tubercles; whereas tubercles have never been found on the spines of A. dichotoma. However, in separate genetic studies using the mt gene region cox 3 - cox 1 (Brugler et al. 2013) and nuclear ITS 1 / ITS 2 (Bo et al. 2018), specimens of A. dichotoma showed affinities to several species in the family Aphanipathidae, suggesting that tubercles may have been secondarily lost in this species. If the relationship of A. dichotoma to the Aphanipathidae is confirmed by more extensive genetic studies, such as those using ultra conserved elements and exon loci (Quattrini et al. 2017, 2020; Horowitz et al. 2020; Mc- Fadden et al., 2021), a taxonomic revision of the families Antipathidae and Aphanipathidae will be necessary.	en	Opresko, Dennis M., Bo, Marzia, Stein, David P., Evankow, Ann, Distel, Daniel L., Brugler, Mercer R. (2021): Description of two new genera and two new species of antipatharian corals in the family Aphanipathidae (Cnidaria: Anthozoa: Antipatharia). Zootaxa 4966 (2): 161-174, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4966.2.4
039887DDEB798F7541BED432233DFEC6.taxon	etymology	Etymology. The species name is based on the type locality.	en	Opresko, Dennis M., Bo, Marzia, Stein, David P., Evankow, Ann, Distel, Daniel L., Brugler, Mercer R. (2021): Description of two new genera and two new species of antipatharian corals in the family Aphanipathidae (Cnidaria: Anthozoa: Antipatharia). Zootaxa 4966 (2): 161-174, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4966.2.4
039887DDEB798F7541BED432233DFEC6.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Known only from Hawaii; 298 – 381 m. Observations made from ROVs (Fig. 3) suggest that the species might be fairly abundant in certain areas around the Hawaiian Islands. Although the growth form of the species is quite distinctive, we cannot confirm that the colonies shown in Figure 3 are A. hawaiiensis sp. nov.	en	Opresko, Dennis M., Bo, Marzia, Stein, David P., Evankow, Ann, Distel, Daniel L., Brugler, Mercer R. (2021): Description of two new genera and two new species of antipatharian corals in the family Aphanipathidae (Cnidaria: Anthozoa: Antipatharia). Zootaxa 4966 (2): 161-174, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4966.2.4
039887DDEB7C8F7541BED44724CBF98A.taxon	description	(Fig. 4)	en	Opresko, Dennis M., Bo, Marzia, Stein, David P., Evankow, Ann, Distel, Daniel L., Brugler, Mercer R. (2021): Description of two new genera and two new species of antipatharian corals in the family Aphanipathidae (Cnidaria: Anthozoa: Antipatharia). Zootaxa 4966 (2): 161-174, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4966.2.4
039887DDEB7C8F7541BED44724CBF98A.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined. Holotype: USNM 1007104 (SEM stub 260), Palau, off Koror, 7.2735 ºN, 134.524 ºE, Coral Reef Research Foundation, sta. Mutremdiu 2, 192 m, coll. P. Colin, 28 March 2001. Type locality. Palau, off Koror, 192 m.	en	Opresko, Dennis M., Bo, Marzia, Stein, David P., Evankow, Ann, Distel, Daniel L., Brugler, Mercer R. (2021): Description of two new genera and two new species of antipatharian corals in the family Aphanipathidae (Cnidaria: Anthozoa: Antipatharia). Zootaxa 4966 (2): 161-174, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4966.2.4
039887DDEB7C8F7541BED44724CBF98A.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. Colony small, very sparsely branched to the second order, with long curved branches disposed irregularly on all sides of the stem but curving upward. Branch angles usually close to 90 º. Spines up to about 0.14 mm tall, 0.5 mm apart, with 3 spines per mm in each row. Polyps about 2 mm in transverse diameter, arranged in a single series, with four to five polyps per cm.	en	Opresko, Dennis M., Bo, Marzia, Stein, David P., Evankow, Ann, Distel, Daniel L., Brugler, Mercer R. (2021): Description of two new genera and two new species of antipatharian corals in the family Aphanipathidae (Cnidaria: Anthozoa: Antipatharia). Zootaxa 4966 (2): 161-174, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4966.2.4
039887DDEB7C8F7541BED44724CBF98A.taxon	description	Description of holotype. The holotype (Fig. 4 A) is about 16 cm tall, 17 cm wide and has a basal stem diameter of about 2 mm. The main stem is 14 cm long and slightly curved. The branching is very sparse, and mostly to the first order and rarely to the second order. Most of the branches originate from the lower half of the stem. The branches are long, and although the distal branch angles are close to 90 º, most branches are curved upward. The longest branch is about 13.7 cm long and about 1.3 mm in diameter near its connection to the stem. The branches are spaced varying distances apart, with as many as four occurring along 3 cm of the stem. The spines (Fig. 4 C – D) are relatively short, cone-shaped in lateral view, but compressed laterally, with a long shallow-sloped proximal edge, and with a few conical tubercles near the apex. On a branch 0.38 mm in diameter the polypar spines reach a maximum size of about 0.14 mm (as measured from middle of base to apex), and the abpolypar spines are 0.11 mm. Six longitudinal rows of spines can be seen in one lateral view (excluding rows in which the spines are only partially visible). Within each row the spines are about 0.5 mm apart, resulting in three per mm. The cone-shaped tubercles near the apex of the spines are 0.005 to 0.007 mm tall. The number of tubercles varies from spine to spine and the greatest number occur on the polypar spines; most of the abpolypar spines lack tubercles or just have one or two visible in lateral view. On the polypar spines a maximum of about eight tubercles can be seen in lateral view (including those on the edges and seen in profile). On the lower part of a branch (diameter 1.2 mm) the spines are 0.15 – 0.16 mm tall, more conical, and narrower than those on upper part of the branches, and tubercles are not present. The polyps (Fig. 4 B) are arranged in a single row. In the preserved state most polyps measure about 2 mm in transverse diameter. The interpolypar space is generally less than 1 mm, and there are 4 to 5 polyps per cm. Comparisons. This species is related to Anozopathes hawaiiensis in the general morphology of the corallum. It differs from that species in having straighter, stiffer branches; smaller spines (0.14 mm vs. 0.25 mm) with a much shallower slope along the lower proximal edge; and slightly more tubercles per spine as seen in lateral view (up to about 8 vs. up to about 6).	en	Opresko, Dennis M., Bo, Marzia, Stein, David P., Evankow, Ann, Distel, Daniel L., Brugler, Mercer R. (2021): Description of two new genera and two new species of antipatharian corals in the family Aphanipathidae (Cnidaria: Anthozoa: Antipatharia). Zootaxa 4966 (2): 161-174, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4966.2.4
039887DDEB7C8F7541BED44724CBF98A.taxon	etymology	Etymology. The species name is based on the type locality.	en	Opresko, Dennis M., Bo, Marzia, Stein, David P., Evankow, Ann, Distel, Daniel L., Brugler, Mercer R. (2021): Description of two new genera and two new species of antipatharian corals in the family Aphanipathidae (Cnidaria: Anthozoa: Antipatharia). Zootaxa 4966 (2): 161-174, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4966.2.4
039887DDEB7C8F7541BED44724CBF98A.taxon	distribution	Distribution. Known only from Palau, 192 m	en	Opresko, Dennis M., Bo, Marzia, Stein, David P., Evankow, Ann, Distel, Daniel L., Brugler, Mercer R. (2021): Description of two new genera and two new species of antipatharian corals in the family Aphanipathidae (Cnidaria: Anthozoa: Antipatharia). Zootaxa 4966 (2): 161-174, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4966.2.4
039887DDEB7C8F7B41BED38B272CF9E7.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. Colonies unbranched. Stem straight or curved and often forming wide distal coils. Spines usually conical, acute or blunt, with conical tubercles on their surface most often confined to near the apex. Polyps up to 3.4 mm in transverse diameter, and arranged in a single series.	en	Opresko, Dennis M., Bo, Marzia, Stein, David P., Evankow, Ann, Distel, Daniel L., Brugler, Mercer R. (2021): Description of two new genera and two new species of antipatharian corals in the family Aphanipathidae (Cnidaria: Anthozoa: Antipatharia). Zootaxa 4966 (2): 161-174, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4966.2.4
039887DDEB7C8F7B41BED38B272CF9E7.taxon	type_taxon	Type species. Cirripathes paucispina Brook, 1889 (= Cirrhipathes paucispina Brook).	en	Opresko, Dennis M., Bo, Marzia, Stein, David P., Evankow, Ann, Distel, Daniel L., Brugler, Mercer R. (2021): Description of two new genera and two new species of antipatharian corals in the family Aphanipathidae (Cnidaria: Anthozoa: Antipatharia). Zootaxa 4966 (2): 161-174, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4966.2.4
039887DDEB7C8F7B41BED38B272CF9E7.taxon	discussion	Remarks. In outward appearance Aphanostichopathes very closely resembles the genus Stichopathes in the family Antipathidae. The distinct tuberculate nature of the skeletal spines, the apparent aphanipathid like appearance of the polyps, and the molecular data as discussed below, confirm its relationship to the Aphanipathidae. Species in genus. Stichopathes euoplos Schultze, 1903; Stichopathes dissimilis Roule, 1902, 1905; and Stichopathes spiessi Opresko and Genin, 1990. One other species that might belong to the new genus is Stichopathes flagellum Roule, 1902, 1905; however, the type specimen needs to be re-examined for the presence of tubercles on the spines. Phylogenetic data. The type specimen of Aphanostichopathes paucispina (Brook) has not been evaluated in DNA sequencing studies. However, two specimens identified as Stichopathes spiessi Opresko & Genin, a species which is morphologically very similar, and may be identical to A. paucispina, were analyzed by Chery et al. (2018) using the mitochondrial gene regions nad 5 - IGR- nad 1 and cox 3 - cox 1. The resulting phylogenetic tree of the families Antipathidae and Aphanipathidae based on cox 3 - cox 1 is shown in Figure 5. The genera Aphanipathes, Phanopathes, Anozopathes and Acanthopathes shown in Figure 5 are all currently placed in the family Aphanipathidae. Aphanostichopathes clearly falls within the same clade and all typically have spines with conical tubercles. In contrast, species of Stichopathes that remain within the Antipathidae have spines that are smooth or have small round or oblong papillae, rather than conical tubercles. The specimen of Stichopathes cf. occidentalis in the Antipathidae clade in the Figure 5 (SED 8045) was not available for examination; however, assuming it has spines that are similar to S. occidentalis Gray, then the spines should have numerous small roundish papillae typical of some species of Stichopathes in the family Antipathidae. Note: the species identified as Stichopathes cf. flagellum in Figure 5 has faint morphological features indicating that it might also belong in the family Aphanipathidae; however, the fact that it groups separate from the two species of Aphanostichopathes requires further study.	en	Opresko, Dennis M., Bo, Marzia, Stein, David P., Evankow, Ann, Distel, Daniel L., Brugler, Mercer R. (2021): Description of two new genera and two new species of antipatharian corals in the family Aphanipathidae (Cnidaria: Anthozoa: Antipatharia). Zootaxa 4966 (2): 161-174, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4966.2.4
039887DDEB728F7F41BED3A424EDFEC6.taxon	description	(Figs. 6 – 8)	en	Opresko, Dennis M., Bo, Marzia, Stein, David P., Evankow, Ann, Distel, Daniel L., Brugler, Mercer R. (2021): Description of two new genera and two new species of antipatharian corals in the family Aphanipathidae (Cnidaria: Anthozoa: Antipatharia). Zootaxa 4966 (2): 161-174, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4966.2.4
039887DDEB728F7F41BED3A424EDFEC6.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. Colonies unbranched, long and coiled at the distal end. Polypar spines up to 0.34 mm tall and abpolypar spines about two-thirds that size. Four to five rows of spines visible in lateral view, with spines 0.9 – 1.2 mm apart in each row; resulting density of about 2 spines per millimeter in each row. Spines with 15 – 25 small conical tubercles usually confined to near the apex. Polyps up to 3.4 mm in transverse diameter, arranged in a single series, with 2.5 to 4 polyps per cm.	en	Opresko, Dennis M., Bo, Marzia, Stein, David P., Evankow, Ann, Distel, Daniel L., Brugler, Mercer R. (2021): Description of two new genera and two new species of antipatharian corals in the family Aphanipathidae (Cnidaria: Anthozoa: Antipatharia). Zootaxa 4966 (2): 161-174, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4966.2.4
039887DDEB728F7F41BED3A424EDFEC6.taxon	materials_examined	Material Examined. Holotype: NHMUK 1873.4.26.1, locality unknown (subsample: NMNH SEM stubs 14, 15). Other material: MCZ 90344 (syntype of Stichopathes pourtalesi Brook), NW Atlantic, off Santa Cruz, U. S. Virgin Islands, Blake sta. 131, 1060 m (subsample: NMNH SEM stub 305); USNM 82988, NE Pacific, Opal Seamount, R / V Atlantis II, 30.5 º N, 121.913 º W, 1350 m, coll. L. Levin, 23 Oct. 1984 (NMNH SEM stub 12).	en	Opresko, Dennis M., Bo, Marzia, Stein, David P., Evankow, Ann, Distel, Daniel L., Brugler, Mercer R. (2021): Description of two new genera and two new species of antipatharian corals in the family Aphanipathidae (Cnidaria: Anthozoa: Antipatharia). Zootaxa 4966 (2): 161-174, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4966.2.4
039887DDEB728F7F41BED3A424EDFEC6.taxon	description	Description of holotype. Information provided by Brook (1889) indicates that the type specimen of this species consists of two pieces totaling 23 cm in length, and with a maximum stem diameter of 1.5 mm. Brook (1889) did not indicate whether either piece was coiled. The skeletal spines were reported to be short, conical, with a blunt, “ slightly rugose ” apex. The illustration of the spines provided by Brook (1889, Pl. 12, fig. 6) is of relatively low, eight-fold magnification; however, based on this illustration, the height of the spines can be roughly estimated to be about 0.3 mm. From the same illustration it can also be estimated that the spines within each row are 0.9 to 1.4 mm apart. Brook reported that spines were arranged in six longitudinal rows, “ four of which could be seen from one aspect ” and within each row they were said to be very distant, “ 3 to 3.5 spine lengths ” apart (equivalent to 0.9 – 1.2 mm based on a spine height of 0.3 mm). The type specimen of S. paucispina was re-described by Opresko and Genin (1990) who found that the spines on a segment of the stem about 1 mm in diameter (excluding the spines) were up to 0.34 mm tall on the polyp side of the axis and up to 0.24 mm on the abpolypar side, similar to the size indicated by Brook’s illustration. Opresko & Genin reported up to five rows of spines visible in lateral view, and the spacing within the rows 0.86 – 1.14 mm (equivalent to only 2 spines per mm). The spines (Fig. 6 A-B) were found to be covered with a variable number of small conical tubercles from the apex down the sides about two-fifths the distance to the base. Tubercles are present on both the polypar and abpolypar spines, and as many as 15 – 20 tubercles can be seen on the polypar spines in lateral view (including those on the distal and proximal edges). Brook did not report that the spines possessed tubercles although in his illustration there are indications that tubercles are present. It should be noted that only a small section of the holotype was available for examination with the SEM, and it is known that in species of unbranched black corals the shape of the spines and the tubercle density may vary on sections of the stem having different diameters; therefore, it cannot be assumed that the tubercle density reported here for the type remains the same on all sections of the stem. Although Brook could not see any polyps on the type, Opresko and Genin (1990) found the dried remains of five polyps, large ones alternating with small ones. The larger polyps are 2.3 – 3.4 mm in transverse diameter (Fig. 6 C) and the smaller ones 0.8 – 1.2 mm in transverse diameter. The density of the polyps ranged from 2.5 to 3 polyps per cm.	en	Opresko, Dennis M., Bo, Marzia, Stein, David P., Evankow, Ann, Distel, Daniel L., Brugler, Mercer R. (2021): Description of two new genera and two new species of antipatharian corals in the family Aphanipathidae (Cnidaria: Anthozoa: Antipatharia). Zootaxa 4966 (2): 161-174, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4966.2.4
039887DDEB728F7F41BED3A424EDFEC6.taxon	discussion	Remarks. Because Brook (1889) did not see any polyps on the type specimen, he questionably assigned the species to Cirrhipathes (using the incorrect spelling Cirripathes); a genus defined by polyps being on multiple sides of the axis. Reexamination of the type revealed the presence of polyps in a single row.	en	Opresko, Dennis M., Bo, Marzia, Stein, David P., Evankow, Ann, Distel, Daniel L., Brugler, Mercer R. (2021): Description of two new genera and two new species of antipatharian corals in the family Aphanipathidae (Cnidaria: Anthozoa: Antipatharia). Zootaxa 4966 (2): 161-174, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4966.2.4
039887DDEB728F7F41BED3A424EDFEC6.taxon	description	Description of non-type specimens. Of the specimens assigned to this species, the one collected at Blake sta. 131 from 1060 m off the U. S. Virgin Islands (MCZ 90344, Fig. 7 A) comes closest to the type in terms of the size of the spines; the polypar spines being up to 0.33 mm tall and the abpolypar spines 0.2 mm (Fig. 7 B). The spines shown in Figure 7 B and 7 C appear taller and narrower than those in the type, but this is likely due to the fact that the diameter of the stem is only 0.41 mm, less than half that of the type shown in Figure 6 A. This specimen shows the same wide and variable spacing of the spines and the same small number of rows (4 or 5) as in the type. It differs from the type in that the spines appear to have a slightly greater number of tubercles (around 25 per view, Fig. 7 C), however, as noted above tubercle density may vary depending on where the spines are located on the stem. The polyp density in this specimen is 3 – 4 per cm which is slightly greater than that in the type (2.5 – 3 per cm). In the specimen collected on Opal Seamount in the northeastern Pacific (Fig. 8), the polypar spines were found to be 0.28 – 0.32 mm tall and the abpolypar spines 0.18 – 0.24 mm, and about 15 distinct conical tubercles can be seen in lateral view. Five rows of spines can be seen in lateral view and the spines within each row are spaced up to 1.2 mm apart with only 2 spines per mm. The polyps are up to 2.8 mm in transverse diameter and the polyp density is 3 per cm. On a section of stem 1.8 mm in diameter the spines are distorted in shape, and some double spines are present (Fig. 8 C). Comparisons. Aphanostichopathes paucispina (Brook) resembles Aphanostichopathes spiessi (Opresko & Genin, 1990), in that both have widely spaced spines with tubercles near the apex. The major differences between the two species are in the size and shape of the spines and in the size of the polyps. In A. paucispina the spines have a more acute apex and can be up to 0.34 mm tall on a section of stem about 1 mm in diameter or larger, whereas in A. spiessi the spines are generally blunter and not more than 0.20 mm in height. The two species also differ in the relative development of the polypar and abpolypar spines. In A. paucispina the polypar spines can be up to twice as long as the abpolypar spines, but in A. spiessi they are usually equal in length, or only slightly longer on the polyp side of the axis. In terms of polyp size, the polyps in A. spiessi are usually less than 2 mm in transverse diameter whereas those in A. paucispina are up to 3.4 mm tall.	en	Opresko, Dennis M., Bo, Marzia, Stein, David P., Evankow, Ann, Distel, Daniel L., Brugler, Mercer R. (2021): Description of two new genera and two new species of antipatharian corals in the family Aphanipathidae (Cnidaria: Anthozoa: Antipatharia). Zootaxa 4966 (2): 161-174, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4966.2.4
039887DDEB728F7F41BED3A424EDFEC6.taxon	distribution	Distribution. The species is known from the North Atlantic and the NE Pacific. Specimens assigned to this species were collected at depths greater than 1000 m.	en	Opresko, Dennis M., Bo, Marzia, Stein, David P., Evankow, Ann, Distel, Daniel L., Brugler, Mercer R. (2021): Description of two new genera and two new species of antipatharian corals in the family Aphanipathidae (Cnidaria: Anthozoa: Antipatharia). Zootaxa 4966 (2): 161-174, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4966.2.4
