"1. Primnoeides Studer and Wright
in Studer, 1887
FIGURE 3A–F
Primnoeides Studer and Wright in Studer, 1887:52.—Bayer, 1956:F220; 1961:292 [illustrated key to genus]; 1981b:934 [key to genus].—Bayer and Stefani, 1989:455 [key to genus].—Williams, 1992:276.
Primnoides Wright and Studer, 1889:90 [incorrect subsequent spelling].—Versluys, 1906:9.—Kükenthal, 1915:142, 144 [key to genus]; 1919:339; 1924:253.
DIAGNOSIS. Colonies uniplanar, branching in an opposite, pinnate manner. Calyces arranged in pairs (Figure 3b) or whorls of three, the calyces inclined upward; brood chambers in base of calyx common. Rudimentary operculum present, composed of small rounded scales not keeled on inner surface, in the closed position usually completed overshadowed by adjacent marginals (Figure 3a); operculars usually do not entirely cover the distal polyp. Body wall, marginal, and opercular scales similar in shape, becoming progressively smaller distally. Small calyces completely covered with eight longitudinal rows of body wall scales, but larger calyces add additional scales in an irregular manner, resulting in nonlinear arrangement of body wall scales. Outer surface of scales smooth, inner surface bearing only sparse tubercles. Coenenchymal scales in two layers: outer layer consists of smooth, flat, circular to elliptical scales; inner layer consists of small tuberculate spheroids (see Versluys, 1906:fig. 4).
DISCUSSION. Primnoeides bears resemblance to Aglaoprimnoa but differs in branching pattern, having a tendency to form only pairs (not whorls) of calyces, and in lacking keels on the opercular scales.
Williams (1992) implied that a second, undescribed species in the genus exits from off southwestern South Africa (400–450 m), but it has not yet been described.
DISTRIBUTION. Prince Edward Island, off South Africa (Williams, 1992, and herein), Indian Ocean, 400–558 m. This infrequently collected genus is known only from the type locality and generalized localities from off southwestern South Africa (Williams, 1992). Another record of P. sertularoides is reported herein: Gilchrist station 70: 33°16′13″S, 17°28′10″E (off Cape Town, South Africa), 413 m, 7 May 1920, USNM 58601 (ex BM 1933.12.1.9).
TYPE SPECIES. P. sertularoides Wright and Studer, 1889, by subsequent monotypy. The holotype (in alcohol) is deposited at the BM (1889.05.27.62 and 1922.1.21.1), and a fragment of the type is deposited at the ZMA (Coel. 3085) (van Soest, 1979)."
(Cairns and Bayer, 2009)
Primnoeides is a genus of Cnidaria in the family Primnoidae.
Primnoeides is a genus of Cnidaria in the family Primnoidae.
