. Annals of the South African Museum = Annale van die Suid-Afrikaanse Museum. Natural history. 242 ANNALS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM Remarks Leptogorgia palma is a highly variable species. Lophogorgia crista was pre- viously differentiated on the basis of dichotomous branching and dark-red coloration, whereas L. palma was defined by pinnate branching and red-orange coloration. After having examined a large suite of specimens from throughout the ranges of both forms (both older material as well as a great many recently collected colonies), I conclude that the two forms are conspecific as no cl
. Annals of the South African Museum = Annale van die Suid-Afrikaanse Museum. Natural history. 242 ANNALS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM Remarks Leptogorgia palma is a highly variable species. Lophogorgia crista was pre- viously differentiated on the basis of dichotomous branching and dark-red coloration, whereas L. palma was defined by pinnate branching and red-orange coloration. After having examined a large suite of specimens from throughout the ranges of both forms (both older material as well as a great many recently collected colonies), I conclude that the two forms are conspecific as no clear-cut morphological boundaries can be substantiated. Some colonies have dichoto- mous branching and are orange in colour, whereas others are dark-red with pinnate branching. Also, some colonies do not exhibit distinct dichotomous or pinnate branching but are intermediate, with irregular or lateral branching. The size and shape of the coenenchymal capstans of the two forms are virtually indistinguishable. Thomson & Henderson (1906: 432, pi. 32 (figs 5-7)) recorded Lophogorgia crista from the Cape Verde Islands, and noted several differences between their material and South African specimens. I consider this a dubious Fig. 42. Leptogorgia palma (Pallas, 1766). An entire colony, 210 mm in height, showing dichotomous Please note that these images are extracted from scanned page images that may have been digitally enhanced for readability - coloration and appearance of these illustrations may not perfectly resemble the original South African Museum. Cape Town : The Museum
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