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Taxon
Zygophylax sagamiensis Hirohito, 1983
Nomenclature
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Family: LafoeidaeGenus: Zygophylax
SUMMARY
Hydrorhiza a mat of stolons running along axis of gorgonian, bunching together at base of colony then passing upwards to become fascicular tubes of stem.
Polysiphonic stems stiff, sparingly subalternately branched, primary branches widely spaced, occasionally secondary subdichotomous branching, one or two polysiphonic tubes running halfway to two thirds along branch or hydrocladium; branch and hydrocladia thereafter monosiphonic; a hydrotheca in axil of each branch. Hydrocladial internodes long, slender, perisarc moderately thick, smooth, nodes merely transverse constrictions, distinct when present, but often absent.
Hydrothecae alternate to subalternate, widely spaced, facing frontally, 1 or 2 on internode, if one, about halfway to two-thirds up internode, if 2, one just below and the other just above node. Hydrocladial apophyses short, distal node transverse, deep. Hydrothecal pedicel cylindrical, slender, variable in length, sometimes with one to several regenerations. Hydrothecae long, slender, slightly asymmetrical, adcauline wall convex, abcauline wall weakly concave, diaphragm distinct, clearly demarcated from hydrothecal wall, transverse or oblique (depending on angle of view) with central wide hydropore. Hydrotheca margin circular, transverse, rim distinctly everted, some hydrothecae with up to 8 marginal replications; perisarc of hydrotheca smooth.
Nematothecae numerous on peripheral tubes of fascicled stem, on hydrorhiza, on apophyses below hydrothecal pedicels, on surface of coppinia and on coppinial tubes; nematothecae small, vase-shaped, sometimes slightly asymmetric, pedicel very short, margin transverse, circular, rim slightly everted.
Coppinia (Stn 122) scarcely visible, embedded in polysiphonic tubes of stem between primary branches, marked by a faint swelling of the stem and numerous projecting nematophorous tubules.
Gonothecae small, cylindrical, tightly packed, with low hooded semicircular orifice, a few with an apical peak, walls thick. Tubules issuing from coppinial mass, long, with one or two basal constrictions, some with one or two nematothecae, some with a few nodes along length and some incipiently branched.
Colour: Stems pale honey yellow, hydrocladia paler.