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Table 4 Comparison of morphological characters observed in D. dianthus and L. pertusa ([20, 28] and reference therein, [30], this study)

From: Merging scleractinian genera: the overwhelming genetic similarity between solitary Desmophyllum and colonial Lophelia

Characters

D. dianthus (adult corallum)

L. pertusa (adult corallite)

Corallum/Corallite shape

Extremely variable. Typically trochoid with a subcylindrical pedicel, but also cylindrical, ceratoid, scolecoid

Variable, generally ceratoid, but also trochoid and subcilindrical; often curve.

Calyx shape

Elliptical to circular

Circular to slightly elliptical, often irregular

Corallum/Corallite length (Max size)

L: up to 20 cm

L: exceptionally longer than 4 cm

Calicular diameter (Max size)

GCD: up to 9 cm

GCD: up to 2 cm

Calicular fossa

Very narrow (Fw : LCD < 1:4) to large (1:3 < Fw : LCD < 1:2).Deep to very deep (Fd : LCD > > 2:3)

Generally narrow (1:4 < Fw : LCD < 1:3) to large (1:3 < Fw : LCD < 1:2). Deep to very deep (Fd : LCD > > 2:3)

Columella

Rudimental, visible only in juvenile specimens

Rudimental, visible only in juvenile specimens

Calicular margin

Flat to very jagged

Flat to very jagged

Septa cycles

Up to 6 (incomplete)

Up to 4 (exceptionally few septa of cycle 5)

Axial margin

Straight and continuous, undulated in the proximal zone (more evident in juvenile specimens)

Straight and continuous, undulated in the proximal zone

Septal granulation

Typically cone-shaped, secondarily subcylindrical, rarely hemispherical; decreasing in size and density from proximal to distal corallum; locally coalescing to form irregular septal ridges

Typically cone-shaped, secondarily subcylindrical, rarely hemispherical; decreasing in size and density from proximal to distal corallum; locally coalescing to form irregular septal ridges

Tabulae

Rare

Common

Costae

Typically acute (dominant septa) in the distalmost third of the corallum; rarely absent

Acute (dominant septa) in the distalmost fourth of the corallum or absent

Outer theca macro- and micromorphology

Diffuse conical to hemispherical granulation, seldom preferential along flat costae; denser and more raised in the basal part where furrows can be present

Diffuse granulation, seldom preferential along flat costae, denser and more raised in the proximal part

Theca thickness : GCD

Variable; 0.01–0.36 (mostly 0.01–0.08)

Variable; 0.04–0.4 (mostly 0.06–0.14)

  1. Diagnostic characters clearly differentiating D. dianthus from L. pertusa (and vice versa) are indicated in bold
  2. Abbreviations: L length, GCD greater calicular diameter, LCD lower calicular diameter, F w width calicular fossa, F d fossa depth