AnimaliaAlcyonaceaPlexauridaeHorvathElizabeth AnneA review of gorgonian coral species (Cnidaria, Octocorallia, Alcyonacea) held in the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History research collection: focus on species from Scleraxonia, Holaxonia, Calcaxonia – Part II: Species of Holaxonia, families Gorgoniidae and PlexauridaeZookeys04720198606718210.3897/zookeys.860.33597 Muricea californica Aurivillius, 1931Figures 39A, B, 40A–D, 41A–C ? Gorgoniaplantaginea Valenciennes, 1846: pl 15 (non Lamarck). ? Muriceaappressa Verrill, 1864: 37; 1866b: 329; 1869a: 44. Grigg 1970: xiv, 20, 25, 207; 1977: 280.) ? Muriceaappressaflavescens Verrill, 1868a; 1869a: 446 (? nec Verrill, 1864: 37). Muricea californica Aurivillius, 1931: 111–114, fig, p 113. Hardee and Wicksten 1996: 130–132. Breedy and Guzmán 2016b: 32–34.Type locality.

North Pacific Ocean, California Channel Islands, Santa Catalina Island, Gulf of Santa Catalina, 2–27 m.

Type specimens.

SyntypeUSNM 44188 [wet]; Lectotype USA: Swedish Museum of Natural History 1122 [wet]. Syntype specimen was examined; a common form in California waters, often easily identified.

Material examined.

~32 lots (see Appendix 1: List of material examined).

Description.

Colony (Figure 39A) non-reticulate; up to 100 cm wide, 120 cm high, usually 60 cm or less. Loose, dichotomous, irregular branching primarily in one plane, forming heavy fan-shaped colony; some primary and secondary branches extend out of plane. Branches thick, averaging 2.0–5.0 mm in width; curve to lie parallel with main branch. Branching lateral, terminals of even thickness or tapering slightly. Outer coenenchyme mostly occluded by calyces (Figure 39B). Calyces distally open cups, erect, very elongated, prominent, conical in shape, 0.8–1.1 mm tall, 1.0–1.5 mm across, 1.0–2.0 mm apart (close together, but not overlapping), protruding 45 to 90 degrees away from branch when polyp extended (extendable to 3.0 mm). When polyp not extended, calyx lying close to and curving into stem, broad and smooth (like bracts in a partially closed pine cone). Upper lip varies, from those without sclerites to having definite lip. Calyces extend in all directions around branches. Tentacles taper at tip; bear two rows of lateral pinnules that are slightly displaced to the oral side. Color of living colony generally rusty brown; ranges from golden-brown to dark reddish orange to reddish brown to brown to dark brown. Axis reddish brown at base; becomes light yellow-brown at tips. Polyps most commonly yellow; golden orange, bright yellow, pale yellow, creamy yellow, even white; all polyps of a branch the same color. Possibility that more than one color of polyp per colony occurs (demonstrated in digital images sent to me by Mary Wicksten, and examination of specimens). Dry colonies dark rusty brown. Sclerites (Figure 40A–D) rust red to golden-brown. Sclerites predominantly club-shaped with large, rounded spines or pointed tubercles projecting from broader, club-shaped end; other end tapering, covered with tubercles (Figure 41C). Outer coenenchyme consisting of small sclerites, to 0.5 mm long, torch-like, with processes often continuing irregularly down one side, other end tapering, covered with tubercles. Some spindles fusiform, bent very slightly in middle, or having large processes in middle projecting outward. Inner coenenchyme spindles small, fusiform, set with distinct tubercles.

Sclerites examined compared to those shown by Hardee and Wicksten (1996); there can be dense coverings of warts, but condition not seen on all sclerites; some sclerites have dense covering of warts at one end, but not at other end. On largest sclerites, warts are large, very few a bit bigger than those shown by Hardee and Wicksten (1996) for M.fruticosa. Many more of largest sclerites have flame-like teeth at one end, not down entire length of one side. In drawings and photographs examined of those believed to be, or labeled, this species, much larger tubercle bumps are seen. Regarding flame-like teeth, on some sclerites there are scattered, randomly-placed spines running down the side, but many more have flame-like teeth only coming off one end (reminiscent of a flaming torch; Figure 41C). Surface bumps can be dense, but not always, not over whole surface (true of some). For this species, stocky, dense clubs and torches very evident; overall, sclerites give impression of being a bit larger and more densely warted than those that may be from Muriceaappressa. Refer to Figure 42, shown as Muriceaplantaginea (Valenciennes, 1846); largest sclerites, however, not nearly as large as those seen in M.fruticosa.

42756f50-4dac-5b50-a0fd-0b9278fd1e0c10.3897/zookeys.860.33597.figure39

Muriceacalifornica, SBMNH 422921. A Whole colony, 25.5 cm × 15 cm B View of branch tip magnified to show prominent, somewhat rounded calyces.

https://binary.pensoft.net/fig/314932abf115c9-b078-55e5-949f-c6d5d3eca6a110.3897/zookeys.860.33597.figure40

Muriceacalifornica. A–CSBMNH 422911, SBMNH 422914, and SBMNH 422361, respectively; light microscopy arrays, 4× magnification, showing diverse mix of sclerites seen in the species D Light microscopy array, the “torch-like,” multi-toothed sclerites so typical of M.californica, shown at 10× magnification. In D the middle, upside-down torch measures some 580 µm, the middle upright torch measures ~400 µm, while the torch lower down measures 480 µm.

https://binary.pensoft.net/fig/3149330fcea71e-310a-56c4-8c23-a20c7281dbed10.3897/zookeys.860.33597.figure41

Muriceacalifornica, SBMNH 265938, SEM image. A, B Axial sheath sclerites A Very jagged spindles B Moderately “toothed” spindles C Calycular/coenenchymal torch-type spindles. Compare/contrast with those shown in Breedy and Guzmán 2016 (fig. 21).

https://binary.pensoft.net/fig/314934Etymology.

Surmise that the name californica refers to the species type locality; no explanation for the species derivation was found.

Common name.

California golden gorgonian; California’s purple one; California rust gorgonian; Brown sea fan (so called in a variety of field/diving guides).

Distribution.

Stated as ranging from Point Conception, through Baja (Santa Maria) to the Gulf of California; range extending further south is possible. Grigg (1977) remarked that if M.californica is identical to M.appressa (See Harden 1969; Grigg 1970 for rationale), southern limit for this species is then Zorritos, Peru. From the following list of California sites, running from south to north, note depth ranges indicated. On the Mainland: Point Loma: 5–18 m; La Jolla: 3–27 m (USNM 50190, was collected at 11 m, in La Jolla, at the Torrey Pines kelp bed, 5 miles north of Scripps Institution); USNM 77286 was collected at Corona Del Mar, Newport Bay; Newport Beach: 2–12 m; San Pedro: 3–18 m; yet another at NMNH (USNM 52485) was collected along the southern coast. Islands: Coronados Islands: 5–24 m; Santa Catalina Island: 5–30 m.

Biology.

Common in kelp beds (Ricketts, 4th Ed. 1968); found at depths greater than 3 m, perhaps being one of the most common gorgonians from southern California (Hardee and Wicksten 1996). Grigg (1977) noted it as a species seen in the rocky sublittoral zone off California at depths between one and 30 meters.

As colonies grow, they form annual growth rings in the skeleton (Grigg 1974; Bertsch 1984). Colonies grow separately sexed, requiring 5–10 years to reach sexual maturity with a maximum longevity of ca. 50 years (Grigg 1975). Grigg (1977) indicated that mortality could be caused by abrasion from suspended particulate matter when there are high waves, smothering by sand and by encrustation due to presence of zoanthid cnidarians Savalialucifica (Cutress & Pequenat, 1960) and Epizoanthusinduratum Cutress & Pequenat, 1960. On specimens of Muricea (potentially this species) located on Shale Reef, between Corona del Mar and Laguna Beach, Savalialucifica was found (a wet SBMNH specimen, as yet uncataloged). As well, SBMNH 422359 has a heavy growth of some form of epizoanthid. Presence of the colonial anemone Corynactiscalifornica (Carlgren, 1936) may also be an important source of mortality.

Satterlie and Case (1978) used this species extensively in studies on the neurobiology of gorgonian coelenterates, which they obtained locally (Santa Barbara area, at depths of 4–11 m). In a study done by Lissner and Dorsey (1986), it was noted that while this species was common around the Channel Islands and rocky areas of the mainland, it was conspicuously absent on the Tanner and Cortes Banks, and on the Santa Rosa-Cortes Ridge. In an anecdotal notation made by R Grigg, the reason could be that populations of Muricea species may be limited by cold water and/or poor dispersal abilities of the larvae. Grigg (1977) stated that Muricea species rarely cover more than 1% of the sea bed, where space is fully occupied.

Considering associations this species has with other organisms, Humes and Lewbel (1977) reported two species of Acanthomolgus Humes & Stock, 1972 (cyclopoid copepods) for the first time from the eastern Pacific in association with this gorgonian, from an area near La Jolla, California (Quast Reef). They indicated that these copepods are consistent members of the epifaunal community on the gorgonian, found with the gorgonian throughout the year. In association with SIO/BIC #CO 1600, there appeared to be the exoskeletal remains of either skeleton shrimp, or some other small, (and now pale) crustacean. Notes from H Bertsch (1984) indicated that sometimes the ovulid snail Simnia (Neosimnia) vidleri (GB Sowerby III, 1881) could be found eating this gorgonian; Grigg (1974) reported that the only fish known to feed on Muricea species is the Garibaldi Hypsypopsrubicunda Girard, 1854 (from Clarke 1970). A specimen, from Baja, South Bay, Isla Cedros (SBMNH 422363), had very well developed acorn barnacle galls, completely overgrown and covered by healthy-looking coenenchyme; only the barnacles’ uppermost valves were visible. They appeared to have been well protected and secured to their gorgonian host. One additional specimen (SBMNH 422362) displays a bare axis at the tip of several branches; obvious barnacles are attached to these bare-tip sites. Overall, extensive organismal growth is uncommon on Muricea specimens, both wet and dry, housed in the SBMNH collection.

Remarks.

Conflicting comments about this species (comparing it with Muriceafruticosa Verrill, 1868a) have been made, particularly with regards to polyp color (Ricketts 3rd Ed, 1962; Ricketts et al. 5th Ed, 1985; Harden MS thesis 1969; unpublished pencil notation, Harden; Harden PhD dissertation 1979). In reading these it was clear to me that some identified the species by presence of yellow polyps, while others did so by white ones. There is no doubt that discrepancies regarding polyp color have carried into current identification of the species. It would be well to remember that color is hard to determine in underwater situations, in ambient light conditions, or with artificial light sources. In some of the oldest descriptions, polyp color was not always clearly stated, most likely due to collection procedures and gaps of time that ensued between collection and actual examination. There is evidence, based on my own examinations, that M.californica can have yellow or white polyps (even different colored polyps in different locations within the same colony). Confirmation came via e-mail correspondence with M Wicksten, and is stated in Hardee and Wicksten (1996: 129, 138). Divers comment that often colonies closely situated side-by-side, with basically the same colony form (thickly branched, usually in one plane), with the distinctively common brown coenenchyme, can display markedly yellow polyps in one colony and in the other (closely adjacent) one, obvious white ones. Because the colony form is so similar (perhaps due solely to current flow in the immediate area, thus an environmental condition), but polyp color so different, the two are considered (and identified) as being different species, that with yellow polyps, M.californica and those with white polyps, M.fruticosa. Yet, there is the question as to whether polyp color can be an accurate means of identification in situ, especially under low light conditions, or if color variation is genetically inherent. Questions that still require further study: 1) are colonies (yellow polyps vs. white polyps) two distinct species? 2) If so, are the two species so similar that they can hybridize? Or, 3) do two color morphs of this species exist (in southern California, at least, each with the characteristic large, planar, generally dichotomously branched colony shape)? Only an examination of sclerites, with notation made of polyp color at the time of collection, could clearly answer these questions. Channel Islands National Park, in annual fish surveys, identifies M.fruticosa as that with white polyps, while M.californica has yellow polyps. The Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach (via phone communication with P Clarkson, March 2003) identifies them in the same way. Unfortunately, most specimens originally identified as this species in the SBMNH collection had either sat in formalin since initial collection, had been in alcohol quite a long time, or are extremely dry; there is no color to be seen in the polyps (even if at one time they had color) and data labels usually do not indicate polyp color at time of collection. Fresh material has been requested from local sources, as they incidentally collect, to help clarify identification of this, and very similar looking species.

Allen (1976) stated that M.californica had been common at Corona del Mar in the past, and D Kushner from Channel Islands National Park (phone comm., March 2003) stated that there has been an enhanced abundance of M.californica observed in recent years at San Onofre, almost to the point of taking over, becoming quite abundant in the area. This is an area where I would expect to find this species, as it appears to be common in southern California, extending into Baja, but this growth spurt seemed a somewhat unusual event. The small collection of dry specimens (and of living specimens on public display) at the San Pedro Cabrillo Marine Aquarium holds many colonies identified as this species, collected in the surrounding local area and off the southern California Channel Islands.

Coloring of actual sclerites was often of little help, but observation of sclerite size and shape was crucial. Some of the specimens identified originally as M.californica (and for that matter, some identified as M.appressa) were actually the typical variant of M.fruticosa, but because of condition of colony, method of preservation and transitional sclerite forms, it was initially difficult to clearly separate the species; calyx appearance was used as well, but again, groupings into distinct clusters was not always easy/clear. There was inclination to think that some specimens, listed as M.californica (likely because of overall colony shape), but from far more southern (Mexican or even Central American) collection locations, might actually be M.appressa or M.fruticosa. Without fresh material (having specific data location, observation of polyp color recorded, along with more extensive and careful extraction and preparation of the large and jagged sclerites, so as not to break them or break off the teeth), can these Muricea specimens be confidently assigned a species name. As Muriceacalifornica seems the most common form, those listed in the Appendix 1 (List of material examined) are listed as M.californica, unless it was very clear, based on calyx appearance and sclerite form/size, that they were another species. Examination of recent, locally collected colonies (SBMNH Sea Center, Aquarium of the Pacific, Long Beach and OCSD), while not numerous in quantity or large in size, was invaluable. Sclerite size and shape were noted, along with calyx shape and confirmed polyp color. It would appear that M.californica has a wide range of polyp coloring (rarely white to commonly yellow or rich gold), while its sclerites are distinct in not having the large, densely warted, rounded spindles common to M.fruticosa (which only displays white polyps). In situ identification, therefore, can be challenging if the colony in question has white polyps; both M.californica (occasionally) and M.fruticosa (typically) have white polyps, while M.appressa (as M.plantaginea, included briefly below, for comparison) seems to always display yellow polyps, (which is normal for M.californica). Despite the challenges regarding in situ identification, M.californica (as well as M.fruticosa and M.appressa (= M.plantaginea) are all recognized as separate species in the WoRMS Database (Cordeiro et al. 2018g).

Appendix 1

List of material examined – Part II

(Material examined = whole colony study plus multiple sclerite preparations; all with light microscopy, plus selected colonies under SEM, shown in figures associated with text)

Adelogorgiaphyllosclera Bayer, 1958

Material examined. ~25 lots. USA, California – fragments, plus full colony; San Diego County, San Diego, Point Loma, 32°41'28"N, 117°16'53"W, station PL-13, no depth recorded; coll. SCCWRP, Sea Quest, 10 September 1975; LACoMNH Marine Biodiversity Center and SBMNH 422894 [wet]. – 1 fragment; Los Angeles County, off the southern California Channel Islands, seaward of Newport Beach, 33°34'02"N, 118°02'20"W, 96 m; coll. M Love via submersible ‘Delta’, 6 October 2005; (his number: A6651), SBMNH 422893 [wet]. –1 colony; Los Angeles County, Catalina Island, Bird Rock, 33°27'00"N, 118°29'14"W, 50 m; coll. R Given, July 1977; SBMNH 51252 [wet]. –1 colony; Los Angeles County, Santa Catalina Island, .33 miles, 180° T from Ship Rock Light, 33°27'19"N, 118°29'34"W, 58 m; coll. R/V ‘Velero IV’, station 2132-52, 22 July 1952; SBMNH 422308 [wet]. –1 colony; Los Angeles County, Santa Catalina Island, 4 miles, 140° T from Ship Rock Light, at Isthmus Cove, by dredge, 33°27'36"N, 118°28'58"W, 76 m; coll. R/V ‘Velero IV’, station 12400-68, 17 October 1968; SBMNH 423087 [dry]. –1 colony; Los Angeles County, off Santa Monica, South Banks, 33°53'00"N, 118°31'00"W, by trawl, 82–100 m; coll. unknown, 10 October 1978; SBMNH 422892 [wet]. MEXICO, Baja California Sur (Pacific Coast) – multiple fragments; southwest of Punta San Eugenio, 8.5 miles S of Canal de Dewey, 27°42'15"N, 115°05'02"W, 89 m; coll. R/V ‘Velero III’, station 1259-41, 27 February 1941; SBMNH 422309; [wet]. –3 colonies; Isla Natividad, 7.5 miles SSW of island, 27°44'17"N, 115°14'40"W, 115–120 m; coll. R/V ‘Velero III’, station 1258-41, bottom of loose rocks, coral, 27 February 1941; SBMNH 422403 [dry]. MEXICO, Baja California Norte (Pacific Coast) – multiple colonies; 8 miles W of Isla Cedros, 28°05'45"N, 115°31'35"W, 117–118 m; coll. R/V ‘Velero III’, station 1253-41, 26 February 1941; SBMNH 422310 [wet]. –multiple colonies/fragments; 1.5 miles off north end of Isla Cedros, 28°23'20"N, 115°11'52"W, 100–109 m; coll. R/V ‘Velero III’, station 1264-41, 28 February 1941; SBMNH 422311 [wet]. CENTRAL AMERICA – 1 colony, (no base); Panamá, Veraguas, off Bahía Honda, rock, sand and mud, 07°45'35"N, 81°35'35"W, 55–91 m; coll. R/V ‘Velero III’, station 863-38, 01 March 1938; SBMNH 423058 [dry]. SOUTH AMERICA – multiple fragments; northern Pacific Ocean, Ecuador, Galápagos Islands, Off Bindloe (=Marchena Island), 00°18'20"N, 90°31'00"W, 27 m; coll. R/V ‘Velero III’, Station 310-35, 3 December 1934; SBMNH 422312 [wet]. –1 colony (bleached); southern Pacific Ocean, Galápagos Islands, Santa Cruz Island, off Gordon Rocks, 00°33'30"S, 90°09'45"W, 46–55 m; coll. R/V ‘Velero III’, station 317-35, 8 December 1934; SBMNH 422891 (‘Velero’ label written in error, 317-37) [wet]. Note: Specimens listed from Central/South America possibly one or more of several new species recently described by Breedy and Guzmán 2018.

Other material examined. USA, California – 1 fragment; San Diego County, taken off shore, BI 53-4, SIO 61-517, 32°38'33"N, 117°15'34"W, 30 m, with dredge; coll. unknown, 19 November 1953 (0900); SIO-CO 457 [wet]. –2 fragments; San Diego County, SI 50, from Canyon Rim, 80 m; coll. unknown, 2 October 1965; SIO-CO 1683 (two specimens in the one lot) [wet]. –San Diego County, Canyon Rim, SL 49-b. 80 m; coll. R Grigg, 2 October 1965 (1200); SIO-CO 1605 [wet]. –San Diego County, off La Jolla, Station 8, La Jolla Canyon, 114-40 m, rock dredge–rock, sand, clay; coll. unknown, 7 January 1954; SIO-CO 1588 [wet]. –multiple colonies; San Diego County, La Jolla, La Jolla Canyon, South Wall, 64 m; coll. C Limbaugh and party, 11 September 1957; [NMNH collection, no catalog number, dry]. –Los Angeles County, Santa Monica, 33°52'08"N, 118°34'05"W, 73 m; coll. unknown, 29 March 1974; SIO-CO 1579 [wet].

Other material, not examined. USA, California – San Diego County, San Diego, 32°45'06"N, 117°30'00"W, 9–24 m; coll. C Limbaugh, Station 1166, 3 July 1906; USNM 57456 [wet]. –2 colonies; USA, California, San Diego County, La Jolla, 400 miles west of Point La Jolla, 18–21 m; coll. C Limbaugh, 14 December 1953; Paratype–USNM 50187 [dry]. –6 colonies; USA, California, San Diego County, La Jolla, La Jolla Canyon, 46–52 m; coll. C Limbaugh, 8 October 1955; Paratype–USNM 50188 [dry]. –1 colony; USA, California, San Diego County, La Jolla, La Jolla Canyon, 40–43 m; coll. R Ghilardi and party, 19 January 1956; Paratype–USNM 50635 [dry]. –USA, California, San Diego County, La Jolla, La Jolla Point, 32°51'01"N, 117°21'02"W, 104–130 m; coll. R/V ‘Albatross’, Station 4328, 8 March 1904; USNM 51320 [dry].

Eugorgiadaniana Verrill, 1868

Material examined. ~10 lots MEXICO, Baja California Sur (Pacific Coast) – 1 colony; 2 miles, 220° T from Punta San Eugenio, 27°49'30"N, 115°05'10"W, 38 m; coll. R/V ‘Velero IV’, station 11514-67, 15 June 1967; SBMNH 422895 [wet]. MEXICO, Baja California Norte (Pacific Coast) – 1 colony; Isla Cedros, coast side, 28°13'00"N, 115°10'00"W; coll. Pacific BioMarine, received from Carmelita Freeman, 26 April 1974; SBMNH 422897 [DH 423 = SBMNH-10]; [dry]. –1 colony; Isla Cedros, 10 miles S of Punta Norte on east side of island, 28°13'00"N, 115°10'00"W, 9 m; coll. R McPeak, 22 February 1983; SBMNH 422404 (B1545) [dry]. MEXICO, Baja California Norte (Gulf of California) – 1 colony; Bahía de Los Angeles, Isla Mitlan, 29°04'00"N, 113°31'00"W, 6 m; coll. R McPeak, 12 September 1980; SBMNH 422405 [dry]. MEXICO (Gulf of California) – 1 colony; Sonora, Bahía de Cholla (= Choya), 31°20'46"N, 113°38'14"W; coll. J Wilkins, 23 February 1959; SBMNH 422896 [DH 433 = SBMNH-20] [dry].

Other material examined – fragment; northern Pacific Ocean, Mexico, Baja California Sur, offshore island of Isla Socorro, outside Punta Tosca, ~18/19°00'00"N, 112°00'00"W, 21 m; coll. unknown, 4 February 1964; SIO CO 1686 [wet]. –1 colony; northern Pacific Ocean, Mexico, Baja California Sur, Puerto (Bahía) San Bartolomé (Tortugas or Turtle Bay); coll. unknown, 14 March 1961; USNM 52484 [dry]. –fragment; USA, California, San Diego County, Loma Sea Valley, due west of Point Loma, by otter trawl 1, ST-908, 326–351 m; coll. Fager party, 21 January 1965; SIO CO 1684 (Acc. No. BI 65-33) [wet]. –1 colony; California, San Diego County, San Diego, Escondida Bay; coll. unknown, 14 November 1868; USNM 57302 [dry].

Eugorgiarubens Verrill, 1868

Material examined. ~ 50 lots. USA, California – 1 colony; California Channel Islands, on a specimen shell of Haliotissorenseni (SBMNH 349096); coll. Leon Bray, 1964 [dry]. –1 fragment; Orange County, 1 mile S of Newport Harbor, 33°36'30"N, 117°54'30"W, vertical south face of shale reef, 17 m; coll. R Given, by hand, SCUBA, 05 October 1957; SBMNH 422313 [wet]. –1 colony (stripped); Santa Catalina Island, 1.5 miles, 130° T from Long Point Light, urchins, crinoids, dead brachiopod, diversified, very rich, 33°23'48"N, 118°21'16"W to 33°22'57"N, 118°19'54"W, 84 m; coll. R/V ‘Velero IV’, Station 2226-53, 28 February 1953; SBMNH 422314 [wet]. –1–2 colonies; Los Angeles County, Santa Catalina Island, between Avalon and Long Point, 33°23'30"N, 118°21'50"W, 55–80 m; coll. R/V ‘Velero III’, station 1167-40, 08 August 1940; SBMNH 422407; SBMNH-14 [dry]. –colony fragments; Los Angeles County, .33 miles, 180° T from Santa Catalina Island, Ship Rock Light, dredge–brachiopods, rocky sand bottom, 33°27'19"N, 118°29'34"W, 58 m; coll. R/V ‘Velero IV’, station 2132-52, 22 July 1952; SBMNH 422315[wet]. –multiple fragments; Los Angeles County, 7.35 miles, 89° T to Manhattan Beach Pier, 33°53'18"N, 118°32'45"W, 58 m; coll. R/V ‘Velero IV’, station 24493-76, 10 March 1976; (with label– AHF 24493, BLM Ref. station 360; Leg. Mo. 08); SBMNH 422099 [wet]. –fragment; Los Angeles County, off Rocky Point, close to Point Vicente, S end of Santa Monica Bay, ~33°44'33"N, 118°25'28"W; coll. by C Limbaugh; 5 October 1941; SBMNH 422898 [wet]. –multiple fragments; Los Angeles County, 10.75 miles W. of Point Dume, on loose rock, sponge, 34°00'00"N, 119°01'20"W, 87 m; coll. R/V ‘Velero III’, station 1276-41, 23 March 1941; SBMNH 422324 [wet]. –1 colony; Ventura County, Rincon, 34°22'27"N, 119°28'27"W, 98 m; coll. P Brophy, commercial otter trawl, 01 May 1968; SBMNH 422901 [DH 421 = SBMNH-08; dry]. –1 colony; Ventura County, Anacapa Island, 34°01'00"N, 119°21'43"W, 11 m; coll. B Scronce and M Conboy, by hand, SCUBA, 29 January 1964; SBMNH 422900 [DH 432 = SBMNH-19; dry]. –1 colony; Ventura County, Anacapa Island, 34°01'00"N, 119°21'43"W, reef and cove, northeast end of island, 11 m; coll. B Scronce and party, by hand, SCUBA, 29 January 1964; SBMNH 45561 [ex MacGinitie collection; wet]. –1 colony; Ventura County, Anacapa Island, 34°01'00"N, 119°21'43"W, reef and cove, northeast end of island, 17–18 m; coll. B Scronce and party, 29 January 1964; SBMNH 45562 [ex MacGinitie collection; wet]. –1 fragment; Ventura County, Anacapa Island, windward side, 34°00'36"N, 119°24'02"W, 15–24 m; coll. M Hamann and S Bobzin, 21 February 1998; SBMNH 345323 [wet]. –1 colony; Santa Barbara County, Santa Cruz Island, 34°01'14"N, 119°41'05"W, seaward side; 15–18 m; coll. W Hary, February 1967; SBMNH 422411 [dry]. –1 colony fragment; Santa Barbara County, basin off Santa Cruz Island (Santa Barbara Basin/Channel), 15.5 mi., 139°T, from Santa Barbara Light, Santa Barbara, CA, 34°20'15"N, 119°37'45"W, 51 m; coll. T Phillips, R/V ‘Velero IV’, station 13617-69, 13 November 1969; SBMNH 422409 [DH 428 = SBMNH-15; dry]. –small colony and fragments; Monterey County, Point Sur, 36°16'07"N, 121°55'13"W, 65 m; coll. T Laidig, NMFS-FED, Santa Cruz, 13 October 2007; SBMNH 235537 [dry]. MEXICO, Baja California Sur (Pacific Coast) – several fragments; 28 miles, 199° T from Abreojos Light, S of Punta Abreojos, dredge–brachiopods, #12 coarse sand and rock, 26°17'15"N, 113°41'45"W (end), 100 m; coll. ‘Velero IV’, station 1709-49, 7 March 1949; SBMNH 422327 [wet]. –1 colony; 6.5 miles, 167° T from Punta Abreojos, dredge–coarse mud and sand, mud bottom, 26°35'27"N, 113°31'45"W (end), 51 m; coll. R/V ‘Velero IV’, station 1954-50, 29 April 1950; SBMNH 422316 [wet]. –2 colonies; SE of Isla Asunción, pinnacles near the “6 fathom spot, 27°06'28"N, 114°17'30"W, 23–27 m; coll. RH McPeak, station B, 11-14 Nov. 1981; SBMNH 422412 [dry]. –2 colonies; 8.5 miles south of Canal de Dewey, sand, broken shell, gravel, 27°42'15"N, 115°05'02"W (end), 89 m; coll. R/V ‘Velero III’, station 1259-41, 27 Feb. 1941; SBMNH 422323 [wet]. MEXICO, Baja California Norte (Pacific Coast) – 1 colony; Islas San Benitos, 28°18'10"N, 115°33'20"W, in Phyllospadix, 5 m; coll. Santa Catalina Island Lab, 15 August 1977; SBMNH 422413 [dry]. –1 colony; 8 mi. SW of Isla Cedros, green, fine sand, coral, 28°00'00"N, 115°29'00"W (end), 115–118 m; coll. R/V ‘Velero III’, station 1254-41, 26 Feb. 1941; SBMNH 422318 [wet]. –several colonies; 8 miles W of Isla Cedros, gravel, loose rock, 28°05'45"N, 115°31'35"W (end), 116–118 M; coll. R/V ‘Velero III’, station 1253-41, 26 Feb. 1941; SBMNH 422317 [wet]. –1 colony; 1.5 miles off N end of Isla Cedros, fine sand, broken shell, 28°22'18"N, 115°11'00"W (end), 82–100 m; coll. R/V ‘Velero III’, station 1263-41, by small dredge, 28 Feb. 1941; SBMNH 422329 [wet]. –1 fragment; 1.5 miles off N end of Isla Cedros, shale, pebbles, 28°23'20"N, 115°11'52"W (end), 100–109 m; coll. R/V ‘Velero III’, station 1264-41, by small dredge, 28 Feb. 1941; SBMNH 422328 [wet]. –multiple fragments; 6.5 miles SW of Punta San Carlos, dredge, rocky bottom, 29°33'30"N, 115°35'28"W (end), 36 m; coll. R/V ‘Velero IV’, station 1944-50, 25 April 1950; SBMNH 422325 [wet]. –1 colony; 4 mi. N of Isla Todos Santos, on rock, 31°52'10"N, 116°49'25"W (end), 73 m; coll. R/V ‘Velero III’, station 1244-41, 24 Feb. 1941; SBMNH 422319 [wet]. MEXICO, Baja California Sur (Gulf of California) – 1 fragment; E of Isla San Francisco (Francisquito), sandy mud, 24°47'25"N, 110°31'20"W, 109 m; coll. R/V ‘Velero III’, station 651-37, 9 March 1937; SBMNH 422330 [wet].

Other Material Examined. USA, California – San Diego County, San Diego, off Point Loma, 32°35'05"N, 117°20'02"W, 91–101 m, by otter trawl; coll. R/V ‘E.B. Scripps’ (student cruise), A Fleminger, 15 November 1980; SIO-CO 912 [wet]. –1 colony; San Diego County, Canyon Rim, 80 m; coll. R Grigg, Cruise SI 49a, 2 October 1965; (was SIO/BIC CO 1593(b), now SIO-CO 2087(a)); [wet]. –1 fragment; San Diego County, Canyon Rim, 77–80 m; coll. unknown, Cruise SI 50, 02 October 1965; (was SIO/BIC CO 1683(a), now SIO-CO 2088, 2089 or 2090) [wet]. –San Diego County (?), Sea Lab SL 49-d, 80 m; coll. R Grigg, 2 October 1965; SIO-CO 1578 [wet]. –San Diego County, La Jolla, La Jolla Canyon, 47 m; coll. R Ghilardi and party, 4 March 1959; SIO-CO 1685; [wet]. –1 colony; San Diego County; Station 2104, 86 m; det. M Lilly and D Pasko, City of San Diego, MBL, 26 July 1996; [dry]. –1 colony; Los Angeles County, San Clemente Island, NE side, at Forbidden Reef, 33°00'51"N, 118°20'37"W; coll. J Cooper, 11 June 1982; MLML CO 109 [wet]. –Los Angeles County, Santa Monica, 33°52'08"N, 118°34'05"W (end), 73 m; 29 March 1974; SIO-CO 1629 [wet]. –Ventura County, Anacapa Island, south side, 34°00'00"N, 119°26'00"W, 15–26 m; coll. FG Hochberg, 20 November 1964. LACoMNH No. 64-28 [wet].

Eugorgialjubenkovia sp. nov.

Material examined. 5 lots; two specimens of species in SBMNH collection from Mexico; another 3 lots, collected by staff of OCSD in California waters, now housed at SBMNH. – fragment; USA, California, Orange County, off Huntington Beach, by Van Veen grab, ~33°36'34"N, 118°02'32"W, 30 m; coll. OCSD, Survey 94–100, station 34, Rep. 1, 1994; material from J Ljubenkov; SBMNH 472234 [wet]. –numerous fragments; USA, California, Orange County, off Huntington Beach, otter trawl, ~33°35'41"N, 117°59'34"W, 35 m; coll. OCSD, Survey 8718, station T-2, Rep. 1, Haul 1, 13 January 1987; Bottle 0011, SBMNH 472232 [wet]. –1 colony + fragment; USA, California, Orange County, off Huntington Beach, otter trawl, at night, ~33°35'57"N, 118°02'47"W, 36 m; coll. OCSD, Survey 8836, station T-6, Rep. 1, 1988; Bottle 0080, SBMNH 472233 [wet]. MEXICO, Baja California Norte y Sur – 1 strand; 28 miles south of Punta Abreojos, bearing 199° T from Abreojos Light, 26°17'30"N, 113°41'45"W, 98 m; coll. R/V ‘Velero IV’, station 1709-49, 7 March 1949; SBMNH 472245 [wet]. –colony fragments; Isla Cedros, S Bay, dredge—sand and mud, Lovena (heart urchin), sponges, 28°04'21"N, 115°17'50"W (end), 29 m; coll. R/V ‘Velero IV’, station 1703-49, 5 March 1949; SBMNH 422333–Holotype [wet].

Leptogorgiachilensis (Verrill, 1868)

Material examined. ~25 lots. USA, California – 1 colony (partial); Los Angeles County, Farnsworth Bank, dredge—bryozoan, 33°20'39"N, 118°30'55"W (end), 15 m; coll. R/V ‘Velero IV’, 1904-49, 7 September 1949; SBMNH 422940 [wet]. –1+ colony; Los Angeles County, 5 miles, 152° from San Pedro Breakwater, 33°38'20"N, 118°12'00"W, 31–35 m; coll. R/V ‘Velero III’, station 1232-41, 15 February 1941; SBMNH 423066 [wet]. –1+ colony + fragments; Los Angeles County, 2.25 miles south of San Pedro Breakwater, 33°40'30"N, 118°14'20"W, 27 m; coll. R/V ‘Velero III’, station 1207-40, 24 November 1940; SBMNH 423067 [wet]. –two fragments; Los Angeles County, Palos Verdes Estates, 33°47'18"N, 118°24'47"W; coll. T Burch, station 40129, 22 August 1940; SBMNH 422954 [wet]. –multiple fragments; Los Angeles County,7.35 miles, 89° T to Manhattan Beach Pier, 33°53'18"N, 118°32'45"W (end), 58 m; coll. R/V ‘Velero IV’, station 24493-76, 10 March 1976; SBMNH 422943 [wet]. –2 colonies; Ventura County, Anacapa Island, 34°00'14"N, 119°23'41"W, 6 m; coll. unknown, 24 January 1963; with hydroid colony on one branch; SBMNH 422944 [wet]. –1 colony; Ventura County, Anacapa Island, 100 yards out from Cat Rock, 34°00'13"N, 119°25'16"W, 17–18 m; coll. B Scronce and party, 30 October 1962; SBMNH 422945 [wet]. –1 colony; Santa Barbara County, ~6 miles south and west of Summerland coast, on northwest corner of Platform “A”, ~34°20'49"N, 119°38'25"W, ~39 m; coll. S Clark, 3 December 2010; SBMNH 265962 [wet]. –1 colony; Santa Barbara County, Goleta, Sands Beach, 34°24'00"N, 119°53'00"W, ~6 m; coll. R/V ‘Vantuna’ Cruise, 469—Mar. Bio, November 2001; SBMNH 422953–Neotype [wet]. MEXICO, Baja California Sur (Pacific Coast) – 1 colony + branch fragments; 6.5 miles, 167° T from Punta Abreojos, dredge–coarse mud and sand, mud bottom, 26°35'27"N, 113°31'45"W (end), 51 m; coll. R/V ‘Velero IV’, station 1954-50, 29 April 1950; SBMNH 422947 [wet]. –2 colonies; Canal de Dewey, opposite Punta San Eugenia, coralline, rock, 27°49'40"N, 115°06'20"W (end), 38–47 m; coll. R/V ‘Velero III’, station 1260-41, 27 February 1941; SBMNH 422949 [wet]. –1 colony; 2 miles, 220° T from Punta San Eugenia, 27°49'30"N, 115°05'10"W (end), 38 m; coll. R/V ‘Velero IV’, station 11514-67, 15 June 1967; SBMNH 422950 [wet]. MEXICO, Baja California Norte (Pacific Coast) – 1 fragment; South Bay, Isla Cedros, rock, along margin of kelp bed, 28°04'45"N, 115°21'05"W, 18–27 m; coll. R/V ‘Velero III’, 287-34, 10 March 1934; SBMNH 422951 [wet]. –1 colony, incomplete; 6.5 miles SW of Punta San Carlos, dredge–rocky bottom, 29°33'30"N, 115°35'28"W (end), 36 m; coll. R/V ‘Velero IV’, station 1944-50, 25 April 1950; SBMNH 422952 [wet].

Other material examined. USA, California – 3 fragments; San Diego County, Canyon Rim, 73 m; coll. R Grigg, Cruise SI 49a, 4 October 1965; SIO/BIC 1593(a) [wet]. –1 strand; San Diego County, Canyon Rim, 70–73; coll. unknown, Cruise SI 50, 2 October 1965; SIO/BIC CO 1683(c) [wet]. –2 lots; colony/fragments; San Diego County, Scripps Submarine Canyon, off Scripps Institute, 15–21 m & 23–30 m; coll. C Limbaugh, December 1953; [Limbaugh Collection, NMNH, dry]. –1+colony/ fragments; San Diego County, La Jolla Canyon, one quarter mile off Scripps Institute, 46 m; coll. C Limbaugh, 23 July 1954; [Limbaugh Collection, NMNH, dry]. –colony/ fragments; San Diego County, one quarter mile off Point La Jolla, edge of kelp bed, 18–21 m; coll. C Limbaugh, 14 December 1953; [Limbaugh Collection, NMNH, dry]. –colony/fragments; San Diego County, 1 mile north of La Jolla, 29 m; coll. C Limbaugh, 11 February 1952; [Limbaugh Collection, NMNH, dry]. –1 colony; Los Angeles County, San Clemente Island, NE side of island, Forbidden Reef, 33°01'26"N, 118°20'17"W; coll. J Cooper, by SCUBA, 11 June 1982; MLML C0108 [wet]. –colony/fragments; Los Angeles County, Redondo Beach, Santa Monica Bay, Streetcar Reef, ~33°51'00"N, 118°25'04"W, 15 m; coll. unknown, 18 July 1961; [Limbaugh Collection, NMNH, dry]. –colony/fragments; Los Angeles County, Redondo Beach, Santa Monica Bay, Streetcar Reef, 18 m; coll. unknown, 14 September 1961; [Limbaugh Collection, NMNH, dry]. –colony/fragments; Ventura County, ~10 miles south of Santa Barbara, California, Richfield Oil Island, 5–9 m; coll. unknown, 16 May 1961; [Limbaugh Collection, NMNH, dry]. –1 colony (possibly this species); Santa Barbara County, S side of Santa Cruz Island, Smuggler's Cove, 34°01'13"N, 119°32'25"W, washed up on cobbles; coll. N Moore, det. EA Horvath, photographed only, 10 March 2008 [dry]. MEXICO, Baja (Pacific Coast) – colony/fragments; MEXICO, Baja California Sur, Bahia Tortugas area, ~15–18 m; coll. J Stewart, November 1959; [Limbaugh Collection, NMNH, dry]. –colony/fragments; MEXICO, Baja California Norte, Isla Guadalupe, 42 m; coll. J Stewart and party, February 1960 [Limbaugh Collection, NMNH, dry].

Other material, not examined – 1 specimen: USA, California, Santa Barbara County, Santa Cruz Island, Smuggler’s Cove, 21 m.; coll. B Scronce and party, by diving, 24 January 1963; [DH 426 = SBMNH-13 [dry], missing from SBMNH collection.

Leptogorgiadiffusa (Verrill, 1868)

Material examined. 4 lots. MEXICO (Gulf of California) – 1 colony; Sonora, Cabo Tepoca, 30°15'45"N, 112°53'20"W, on shore–rock and reef; coll. R/V ‘Velero III’, station 1077-40, 4 February 1940; SBMNH 423089 [dry]. –multiple colonies; Sonora, off Rocky Point, mud, sand and shell, 31°19'50"N, 113°39'10"W (end), 18–20 m; coll. R.V ‘Velero III’, station 1072-40, 2 February 1940; SBMNH 423088 [dry]. –1 colony; Sonora, Bahia de Choya (Cholla), ~31°21'19"N, 113°37'26"W; coll./legit. JW with # 038-1, 25 February 1959; SBMNH 423090 [dry].

Other material examined –1 colony; USA, California, San Diego County, San Diego, off shore; coll. J Stewart, 1965; CAS IZ 97890 [dry].

Leptogorgiafilicrispa Horvath, 2011

Material examined. ~9 lots. USA, California – 2 fragments (1 lot); Ventura County, off Ventura Harbor, collected with ovulid snails, 34°14'00"N, 119°19'00"W, 20–50 m; coll. P Brophy, trawled by dragnets, August 1968; SBMNH 423079 [housed in vial, in ovulid snail collection, Neosimnia nec Simnialoebbeckeana, SBMNH 423103, dry]. MEXICO, Baja California Sur (Pacific Coast) – multiple colonies (1 lot); off Boca Flor de Malva, SE of Punta Tosca, 24°11'07"N, 111°21'03"W, 69–87 m; coll. J McLean on R/V ‘Searcher’, Station 31–32, No. 71–16, 1 February 1971; SBMNH 423057–Holotype [DH 415 = SBMNH-06, dry].

Other material examined. MEXICO (Gulf of California) – several fragments; Gulf of California, Sonora, Mexico, Guaymas, 28°15'00"N, 111°48'00"W (end), 64–75 m; coll. unknown, 21 March 1960; USNM 75099 [wet]. –numerous fragments/colonies; Sonora, Cabo Tepoca, 30°20'30"N, 113°08'00"W, 56–67 m; coll. R Parker, 31 March 1960; (with a station number: P-212-60); USNM 1106683 [dry]. MEXICO, Baja California Sur (Pacific Coast) – multiple fragments/colonies; Cabo San Lucas Canyon, ~22°54'09"N, 109°22'45"W, on sand bottom, 30 m; coll. W North and C Limbaugh, March 1959; USNM 1106685 [dry]. –multiple fragments; off Boca Flor de Malva, SE of Punta Tosca, 24°11'07"N, 111°21'03"W, 69–87 m; coll. J McLean on R/V ‘Searcher’, Station 31–32, No. 71–16, 1 February1971; LACoMNH—Holoparalectotype [DH 218, SBMNH06, dry]. –multiple fragments; off Boca Flor de Malva, SE of Punta Tosca, 24°11'07"N, 111°21'03"W, 69–87 m; coll. J McLean on R/V ‘Searcher’, Station 31–32, No. 71-16, 1 February1971; LACoMNH—Holoparalectotype [DH 415, SBMNH06, dry]. –multiple fragments; Cabo San Lazaro, 24°48'00"N, 112°19'12"W, by shrimp trawler, 65–73 m; coll. C Limbaugh, sometime in the 1950s; USNM 1106684 [dry]. –several fragments; Magdalena Bay, ~24°38'11"N, 111°58'15"W, 86 m; coll. unknown on R/V ‘Albatross’, 8 April 1889; USNM 57144 [wet]. –multiple fragments; SW Punta San Juanico, outer coast, ~26°12'33"N, 112°30'49"W, (no depth recorded); coll. unknown, 29 January 1971; LACoMNH [DH240, dry].

Leptogorgiaflexilis (Verrill, 1868)

Material examined. 5 lots. USA, California – 1 colony fragment (base missing); Los Angeles County, San Pedro, 6.9 miles, 139° T from Point Fermin, dredge–sand, 33°37'04"N, 118°11'50"W (end), 45 m; coll. R/V ‘Velero IV’, 2042-51, 20 July 1951; SBMNH 422941 [wet]. –2 lots; colony, fragmented; Los Angeles County, between White's Point and Portuguese Bend, 33°42'54"N, 118°20'07"W (end), by beam trawl, 22 m; coll. R/V ‘Velero IV’, station 1644-48, 19 November 1948; SBMNH 422942 [dry & wet]. MEXICO, Baja California Sur (Pacific Coast) – fragments; 28 miles, 199° T from Abreojos Light, S of Punta Abreojos, dredge–brachiopods, beam trawl–# 12 coarse sand and rock, 26°17'15"N, 113°41'45"W (end), 100 m; coll. R/V ‘Velero IV’, station 1709-49, 7 March 1949; SBMNH 422946 [wet]. –1 colony + multiple fragments; 2 miles, 142° T from Thurloe Head, 27°35'45"N, 114°49'15"W, no depth recorded; coll. R/V ‘Velero IV’, station 11842-67, 7 December 1967; SBMNH 422948 [wet].

Leptogorgia sp. A (? = LeptogorgiatricorataBreedy and Cortés 2011)

Material examined. ~10-11 lots. USA, California – 2 colonies, 1 fragment; 9.5 miles NW of buoy, Cortes Bank, white sand, rock, 32°33'15"N, 119°15'15"W, 91 m; coll. R/V ‘Velero III’, station 1342-41, 10 June 1941; SBMNH 423080 [wet]. –4 colonies; Los Angeles County, Santa Catalina Island, 1 mile SW of Ben Weston Point, mud, sand, gravel, 33°20'55"N, 118°30'45(35)” W (end), 82–89 m; coll. R/V ‘Velero III’, station 1316-41, 17 May 1941; SBMNH 422334 [wet]. –1 colony; Los Angeles County, Santa Catalina Island, Bird Rock, ~33°27'05"N, 118°29'10"W, 46 m; coll. R Given, July 1977; SBMNH 423083 [wet]. –1 fragment; Los Angeles County, Santa Catalina Island, off Bird Rock, rock, coarse shell, kelp; sm. dredge boat, 33°27'20"N, 118°29'00"W (end), 56–73 m; coll. R/V ‘Velero III’, station 1187-40, 29 September 1940; SBMNH 423081 [wet]. –1 fragment; Ventura County, Santa Barbara Island, N of island, 33°30'58"N, 119°00'50"W, on gray sand, 67-73 m; coll. R/V ‘Velero III,’ station 1177-40, 9 September 1940; SBMNH 422903 [wet]. –2 colony fragments; Los Angeles County, off Rocky Point, close in proximity to Point Vicente (S end of Santa Monica Bay), ~33°44'33"N, 118°25'28"W; coll. C Limbaugh, 5 October 1941; SBMNH 423082 [wet]. –numerous colonies/fragments; 10.75 miles W of Point Dume, on loose rock and sponge, 34°00'15"N, 119°01'30"W (end), 86-87 m; coll. R/V ‘Velero III’, station 1276-41, 23 March 1941; SBMNH 422340 [wet]. –fragment; Santa Barbara County, Channel Island area, ~34°06'56"N, 119°42'49"W, by trawl; coll. P Brophy; SBMNH 423084 [wet].

Other material examined – fragment; Mexico, Baja California Norte (Gulf of California), NE of Isla San Jose, Isla Las Animas, 28°42'14"N, 112°55'43"W, epizooic on “black coral, 36–42 m; coll. Adcock and Markham, Station D-24B, 11 August 1965 (identified in error by Harden as Heterogorgiatortuosa); CAS-IZ 96757 [wet]. –1 colony; USA, California, San Diego County, near coast of San Diego, no depth recorded; coll. J Stewart (UCSD diver), 1965 (identified in error by Harden as H.tortuosa); CAS-IZ 98140 [dry]. –1 strand; USA, California, San Diego County, Canyon Wall (1200), 82 m; coll. R Grigg, Cruise SL 49c, 2 October 1965; SIO-CO 1594 [wet]. –colony fragment; USA, California, Ventura County, Channel Islands, 10 miles E of San Nicolas Island, ~33°12'19"N, 119°43'29"W, 91 m; coll. (possible ‘Albatross’ collection, according to Harden; identified in error as Heterogorgiapapillosa), 29 March 1917; CAS-IZ 34636 [wet].

Other material, not examined – Japan, Shizuoka, Honshu Island, Suruga Bay, Omae Zaki, 34°35'00"N, 138°15'00"E; coll. R/V ‘Albatross’, station nos. 3727-3735, US Fish Commission, 16 May 1900, 62–89 m; USNM 50248 [wet].

Chromoplexauramarki (Kükenthal, 1913)

Material examined. ~60 lots. USA, California – (?)1 colony; Ventura/Los Angeles County, 20–22 miles south of San Nicolas Island, rocky, 32°51'00"N, 119°23'45"W, 118–136 m; coll. R/V ‘Velero III’, 1344-41, 11 June 1941; SBMNH 423071 [wet]. –4 fragments (2 lots); Los Angeles County, Santa Catalina Island, 5 miles SE of Church Rock, 33°16'00"N, 118°13'45"W (end), 215 m on sand, loose washed rock; coll. R/V ‘Velero III’, Station 1350-41, 12 June 1941; SBMNH 265946 [wet]. –multiple fragments/colonies (two lots); Los Angeles/Ventura County, off San Nicolas Island, with sponge, rock, 33°16'10"N, 119°24'30"W (end), sponge and rock, 51–56 m; coll. R/V ‘Velero III’, 1123-40, 12 April 1940; SBMNH 423061 [wet]. –3 colonies, 1 fragment; Los Angeles County, 2.5 miles SE of Seal Rocks, Santa Catalina Island, 33°17'20"N, 118°15'35"W (end), rock, lumpy gray sand, sponge, urchin, gorgonians, hermits, 158-173 m; coll. R/V ‘Velero III’, station 1429-41, 25 October 1941; SBMNH 265948 [wet]. –1 colony; Los Angeles County, 5 miles, 152° T from San Pedro Breakwater, 33°38'20"N, 118°12'10"W (end), coarse sand, dead shell, clay, 31–35 m; coll. R/V ‘Velero III’, 1232-41, 15 February 1941; SBMNH 423066 [wet]. –1 colony; Los Angeles County, 2.25 miles south of San Pedro Breakwater, 33°40'30"N, 118°14'20"W (end), sand, pebble, broken shell, 27 m; coll. R/V ‘Velero III’, 1207-40, 24 November 1940; SBMNH 423067 [wet]. –multiple fragments (bearing numerous brittle stars); Santa Barbara County, Santa Cruz Island, 13 miles, 5° T to Gull Island Light, 33°44'00"N, 119°51'00"W, 155 m; coll. R/V ‘Velero IV’, station 24329-76, 21 January 1976; SBMNH 265935 (with label reading: 24329 BFI) [wet]. –fragment; Santa Barbara County, 16.5 miles SE X S of South Point, Santa Rosa Island, 33°38'35"N, 119°58'05” (end) W, rocks, crinoids, brittle stars, 131–140 m; coll. R/V ‘Velero III’, station 1397-41, 27 August 1941; SBMNH 265936 [wet]. –1 colony; Santa Barbara County, Santa Rosa Island, 6.27 miles, 341° T to Ford Point, 33°48'45"N, 119°59'20"W (end), 104 m; coll. R/V ‘Velero IV’, station 23065-75, 18 October 1975; SBMNH 265937 (with label reading: 23065 6C) [wet]. –1 colony; Santa Barbara, County, San Miguel Island, 3.7 miles, 21° T to Crook Point, 33°56'48"N, 120°21'42"W (end), 118 m; coll. R/V ‘Velero IV’, station 24882-76, 28 April 1976; SBMNH 265949 (with label reading: 24882 CH) [wet]. –1 colony; Santa Barbara County, south side of Santa Cruz Island, gray sand, shell, 33°57'45"N, 119°38'20"W (end), 67–73 m; coll. R/V ‘Velero III’, 1191-40, 30 September 1940; SBMNH 423068 [wet]. –1 colony; 2.6 miles, 140° T to Cavern Point, Santa Cruz Island, 34°04'30"N, 119°34'18"W (end), 76 m; coll. R/V ‘Velero IV’, station 24863-76, 27 April 1976; SBMNH 423064 [wet]. –1 colony (fragments); Ventura County, 1 mile, 231.5° T from Ventura Pier Light, 34°10'00"N, 118°26'57"W, no depth; coll. R/V ‘Velero IV’, station 5828-58, 21 August 1958; SBMNH 265947 [wet]. –(?)1 colony; Monterey County, off San Jose Creek Beach (N end), Carmel Submarine Canyon, 36°32'00"N, 121°56'00"W, 12–38 m; coll. J H McLean; 1960-1964; SBMNH 423070 [wet] (formerly part of Los Angeles County Museum collection). –1 small colony; Monterey County, Point Sur, 36°17'02"N, 121°57'09"W, 56 m, on large rock; coll. D Starr, NMFS-FED, Santa Cruz, 13 October 2007; SBMNH 235536 [dry]. –1 fragment; Monterey County, southwest of Point Pinos, 36°37'25"N, 121°58'25"W, rock and sponges, 47 m; coll. R/V ‘Velero III’, 891-38, 8 August 1938; SBMNH 423062 [wet]. –1 colony; Monterey County, Monterey Bay, 1.15 miles, 347° T from Point Pinos Light, on rock, 36°38'54"N, 121°56'15"W; coll. R/V ‘Velero IV’, station 6437-59, 30 September 1959; SBMNH 423065 [wet]. –fragments; Monterey County, Monterey Bay, off Point Pinos, rock, crinoids, brittle stars, 36°39'50"N, 121°58'00"W, 89–98 m; coll. R/V ‘Velero III’, station 890-38, 8 August 1938; SBMNH 423063 [wet]. –1 colony; Monterey County, Monterey, 36°47'00"N, 122°02'00"W, ~22 m; coll. T Burch, BLM Ref. Sta. 360, 18 August 1940, with label (Burch # 40128); SBMNH 423060–Neotype [dry]. –1 colony + fragments; Monterey County, Monterey, 36°47'00"N, 122°02'00"W, ~22 m; coll. T Burch, possible BLM Ref. Sta. 360, 18 August 1940, with label (Burch # 40128); SBMNH 423072 [wet]. –1 colony; Monterey County, Monterey, 36°47'00"N, 122°02'00"W, ~30–45 m; coll. T Burch (Acc. No. 3665), BLM Ref. Sta. 360, 18 August 1940; SBMNH 422954 [wet]. –1 colony; Santa Cruz County, Santa Cruz, 36°57'07"N, 122°00'36"W, 30 m; coll. Kinnetics Lab; Station 1, 7 July 1978; with barnacles growing on the colony, where some branches come off of main “stem;” SBMNH 423069 (previous no. 40612, not in Data Base; specimen originally labeled Psammogorgiatorreyi). [wet]. USA, Oregon – 1 colony plus fragments; Lincoln County, 15 nautical miles off coast of Newport, Oregon, Station NH-15, 44°39'28"N, 124°24'29"W, 85 m; coll. R/V ‘Yaquina’, Cruise Y6906C, 27 June 1969; SBMNH 423073 [wet].

Other material examined. USA, California – multiple fragments; San Luis Obispo County, 27° off Avila Beach, starting just N of bell buoy, around Souza Rock, ~35°10'35"N, 120°44'16"W, 36 m; coll. R/V ‘NB Scofield’, Field No. 53-B-25, 9 June 1953; CAS-IZ-96742 [wet]. –1 colony; San Luis Obispo County, ~10 miles S of Morro Bay, near Point, ~35°22'01"N, 121°02'55"W, 9 m; coll. abalone diver via scuba (“Ed”), 1964; CAS-IZ 97951 [dry]. –1 colony; Monterey County, between Point Lobos and Sabrina Point, ~36°31'28"N, 121°57'03"W, 364 m; coll. Capt. Alioti, on Shrimper ‘Jackie Boy’ (lot 2), 4 March 1972; CAS-IZ 96735 [wet]. –1 colony; Monterey County, Carmel Bay, off San Jose Creek Beach (Monastery Beach), ~36°31'34"N, 121°55'50"W, 38 m; coll. D Sullivan, 20 May 1962; CAS-IZ 96746 [wet]. –1 colony + 1 fragment; Monterey County, Monterey Bay, bearing S 25° E, 5.4 miles off Point Piños lighthouse, ~36°35'49"N, 122°00'13”W 170 m; coll. USBCF ‘Albatross’, station 4543, Haul # 816, 1904 SIO/BIC CO 361 [wet]. –1 colony/fragments; Monterey County, Monterey Bay, bearing N 87° W, 1.74 miles off Point Piños lighthouse, ~36°38'30"N, 121°57'45"W, 64 m; coll. USBCF ‘Albatross’, station 4441, 1904SIO/BIC CO 1810 [wet]. (Both SIO/BIC CO 361 and CO 1810, are labeled P.arbuscula; this is in error, based on location data.) –1 colony; Monterey County, Monterey Bay, Monterey Bay Canyon Wall, ~36°52'37"N, 121°56'50"W, 500–600 m; coll. C Mah, R/V ‘Point Sur’, 28 February 1997; CAS-IZ 108905 [wet]. –2 colonies; Monterey County, Monterey Bay, Continental Shelf, ~36°52'37"N, 121°56'50"W, 150–160 m; coll. C Mah, R/V ‘Point Sur’, 14 April 1998; CAS-IZ 113071 [wet & dry]. –colonies; Monterey County, Monterey Bay, Monterey Canyon, canyon wall, ~36°52'37"N, 121°56'50"W, 600–700 m; coll. C Mah, R/V ‘Point Sur’, 14 April 1998; CAS-IZ 113072 [wet]. –1 colony; San Francisco County, ? Farallon Islands, ~37°44'22"N, 123°03'13"W, no depth recorded; coll. unknown, with exception of “Trawl no. PC1-1: sample no. 1,” 23 September 1991; CAS-IZ 96747 [wet]. –1 colony; Humboldt County, Blunt's Reef, off Cape Mendocino, California, ~40°25'56"N, 124°27'28"W; coll. Turkington, May 1910; det. by Bayer; USNM 51500 [dry]. USA, Oregon and Washington – 1 colony; no specific location data, 600 m; coll. A Carey Jr., R/V ‘Acona’, Station OTB-36 16 June 1964; CAS-IZ 143903 [wet]. –1 colony and 1 fragment; Coos County, off coast, Coquille Bank, ~42°54'23"N, 124°51'16"W, 257 m; coll. P Etnoyer, NOAA “West Coast Survey, Fall 2010, 3 November 2010; BS004 (CB 50001-002) and BS005 (CB 50001-003) [wet]. –fragment; off Oregon coast, Heceta Bank, 43°55'58"N, 124°55'55"W, 140 m; coll. Heceta RB-00-05, G Hendler; RV ‘Ronald H. Brown’ (NOAA) and S/V ‘Ropos’, Dive R534-Rk-009, 24 June 2000; LACoMNH Marine Biodiversity Center processing number 233 [wet]. –fragment; off Oregon coast, Heceta Bank, 43°56'52"N, 124°56'36"W, 189 m; coll. Heceta RB-00-05, G Hendler; RV ‘Ronald H. Brown’ (NOAA) and S/V ‘Ropos’, Dive R535-Bio-2, 3, 4, or 13, 24 June 2000; LACoMNH, Marine Biodiversity Center processing number 379 [wet]. –1 colony; off Oregon coast, Heceta Bank, 43°58'07"N, 124°51'10"W, hard bottom covered with invertebrates, 117.9 m; coll. A Valdés by ROV; RV ‘Ronald H. Brown’ (NOAA) and S/V ‘Ropos’, Dive 615, 10 July 2001; LACoMNH, Marine Biodiversity Center processing number 100 [wet]. –1 colony; off Oregon coast, Heceta Bank, 43°59'16"N, 124°52'59"W, rocky area, collected with a large rock, 81.1 m; coll. A. Valdés by ROV; RV ‘Ronald H. Brown’ (NOAA) and S/V ‘Ropos’, Dive 613, 9 July 2001; LACoMNH Marine Biodiversity processing center number 85 [wet]. –1 colony; off Oregon coast, Heceta Bank, 44°09'11"N, 124°49'29"W, 81 m; coll. Heceta RB-00-05, G Hendler; RV ‘Ronald H. Brown’ (NOAA) and S/V ‘Ropos’, Dive R530-Bio-0012, 21 June 2000; LACoMNH, Marine Biodiversity Center processing number 205 [wet]. –1 colony; off Oregon coast, Heceta Bank, 44°11'08"N, 124°48'24"W, rocky bottom, collected with rock, 74.3 m; coll. R Embley by ROV; RV ‘Ronald H. Brown’ (NOAA) and S/V ‘Ropos’; Dive 608, 7 July 2001; LACoMNH, Marine Biodiversity Center processing number 56 [wet]. –2 colonies; off Oregon coast, Heceta Bank, 44°11'14"N, 124°50'03"W, rocky bottom, collected with rock with gorgonian attached, 81.8 m; coll. N Puniwai by ROV; RV ‘Ronald H. Brown’ (NOAA) and S/V ‘Ropos’, Dive 608, 7 July 2001; LACoMNH, Marine Biodiversity Center processing number 55 [wet]. –1 colony; off Oregon coast, Heceta Bank, 44°13'20"N, 124°52'26"W, 98 m; coll. Heceta RB-00-05, G Hendler; RV ‘Ronald H. Brown’ (NOAA) and S/V ‘Ropos’, Dive R538-Rk-0003, 26 June 2000; LACoMNH Marine Biodiversity Center processing number 263 [wet]. –2 colonies; Lincoln County, off Newport, ~44°40'10"N, 124°27'12"W, 110 m; coll. Dr JE McCauley, R/V ‘Acona’, no collection date given; CAS-IZ 24639 [wet]. –2 colonies + fragments; Lincoln County, 112.01 miles SW of Yaquina Head Light, 44°40'00"N, 126°21'12"W, 2,856 m; coll. A Carey, OSU, Station OTB-30, 20 May 1964; SBMNH 423078 [wet]. –1 colony; Eastern N Pacific, Tillamook County, off Oregon coast, due W of Nehalem Bay State Park, 45°38'55"N, 124°06'03"W, ~80 m; coll. NFSC, 2006 expedition; CB 34213-093, FRAM 100105460 [wet]. –1 colony, North Pacific, off Oregon/Washington border, Clatsop County, due W of Tillamook Head, and mouth of Columbia River, ~46°13'30"N, 124°22'31"W, ~113 m; coll. NFSC, 2006 expedition; CB 34210-023, FRAM 100105455 [wet]. –3 colonies; North Pacific, Grays Harbor County, off Washington State, due W of Quinault Beach Resort, ~47°01'33"N, 124°39'10"W, ~98 m; coll. NFSC, 2006 expedition; CB 34210-025, FRAM 00105453 [wet]. –1 colony, North Pacific, off Washington coast, Grays Harbor County, ~47°06'07"N, 124°32'17"W, 73 m; coll. NFSC, WCGS 2006; CB 34210-020, FRAM 100105450 [wet].

Other material, location not known. WCGS 2006, Oregon – CB 34213-047, FRAM 100105469 (provided by E Berntson, NOAA Fisheries Office, Port Orchard, WA).

Other material, not examined – several colonies; USA, N Pacific Ocean, California, Monterey County, Carmel, 26 m; [YPM 8877A and YPM 8877B; notation of “questionable form,” wet].

Muriceacalifornica Aurivillius, 1931

Material examined. ~33 lots. USA, California – (?)1 colony; Orange County, Newport Bay, 33°35'37"N, 117°52'51"W, on rocks of outer jetty, below extended low tide; coll. G MacGinitie, October 1946; SBMNH 422390 [wet]. –multiple colonies/fragments; Orange County, Newport Beach, “The Pipeline,” ~33°36'23"N, 117°55'50"W, depth not recorded; coll. Aquarium of the Pacific, Long Beach (for SBMNH Sea Center), early summer, 2010; SBMNH 265938 [wet]. –1 colony; Orange County, Newport Bay, 33°37'11"N, 117°53'41"W, depth not recorded; coll. G Sphon, 08 January 1953; SBMNH 422920 [DH 451 = SBMNH-35; dry]. –2+ colonies; Orange County, off Huntington Beach, with a beam trawl, 33°38'30"N, 118°00'20"W, 7–36 m; coll. R/V ‘Velero III’, 1127-40, 20 April 1940; SBMNH 422360 [1 dry, others wet]. –1 colony; Los Angeles County, San Pedro, Point Fermin, 33°41'00"N, 118°16'00"W; coll. R/V ‘Velero IV’, station 1578-46, 20 December 1946; data from label, not Station Log (NOTE: from August 1942-July 1948, no Station Log notes; ship not running consistently during WWII?); SBMNH 422361[wet]. –fragment; Los Angeles County, San Pedro, inside of Point Fermin, on shore–rock wall and loose rock, 33°42'45"N, 118°16'45"W; coll. R/V ‘Velero III’, station 1217-40, 30 November 1940; SBMNH 422357 [wet]. –multiple colonies; Los Angeles County, San Pedro, Point Fermin, 33°42'18"N, 118°17'35"W, 13 m; with data station number: 50 3 T147, 17 June 1916; SBMNH 422375[wet]. –several colonies in 3 lots; Los Angeles County, San Pedro Breakwater, on shore, 33°42'08"N, 118°16'05"W; coll. R/V ‘Velero III’, station 1230-41, 26 January 1941; SBMNH 422358 [wet]. –1 colony; Los Angeles County, between White's Point and Portuguese Bend, beam trawl–bryozoa, corals, sea mouse, gorgonacea, 33°42'54"N, 118°20'07"W (end), 22 m; coll. R/V ‘Velero IV’, station 1644-48, 19 November 1948; SBMNH 422359 [wet]. –1 colony; Los Angeles County, between White's Point and Portuguese Bend, 33°42'54"N, 118°20'07"W, 22 m; coll. R/V ‘Velero IV’, station 1644-48, 19 November 1948; SBMNH 422919 [dry]. –1 colony (stripped); Ventura County, Rincon Beach, 30°20'10"N, 119°24'35"W, on beach; coll. N Moore, 2 March 2008; SBMNH 422918 [dry]. –1 colony; Santa Barbara County, Anacapa Island, 34°00'13"N, 119°25'16"W, 100 yards out from Cat Rock, 17–18 m; coll. B Scronce, and party, 30 October 1962; SMBNH 45564; [wet]. –1 colony; Santa Barbara County, Anacapa Island, 34°00'13"N, 119°25'16"W, 100 yards out from Cat Rock, 17–18 m; coll. B Scronce, and party, 30 October 1962; SBMNH 45563; [wet]. –1 colony; Ventura County, Port Hueneme, off the north jetty, 34°09'26"N, 119°13'42"W, 11 m; coll. M Conboy and D Sprong, 16 January 1963; SBMNH 422911 [DH 448 =SBMNH-32; dry]. –3 colonies; Ventura County, Port Hueneme, 34°09'26"N, 119°13'42"W, 11 m; coll. M Conboy and D Sprong, 16 January 1963; SBMNH 422913 [DH 449 =SBMNH-33, dry]. –2 colonies; Santa Barbara County, Carpinteria, several miles east of Carpinteria State Beach, 34°23'36"N, 119°31'31"W, between splash and high inter-tidal, up on rocks and exposed beach; coll. EA Horvath, between 27–30, January 2006; SBMNH 422372 & 422373 [wet]. –2 colonies; Santa Barbara County, Carpinteria, off Carpinteria State Beach, 34°23'36"N, 119°31'31"W; coll. C Watters and J Henry, det. EA Horvath; 18 February 2008; SBMNH 422914 [dry]. –1 fragment; Santa Barbara County, Santa Barbara, Naples Reef, 34°26'24"N, 119°56'60"W, 15 m; coll. S Anderson and party, 11 November 1998; SBMNH 345324; [wet]. MEXICO, Baja California Sur (Pacific Coast) – 2 colonies + fragments; Cabo San Lucas, 22°52'49"N, 109°54'32"W; coll. unknown, 22 March 1936; SBMNH 422921 [dry]. –1 colony; off Thurloe Head, on rock with gorgonids, 27°36'50"N, 114°50'50"W, 15–18 m; coll. R/V ‘Velero III’, station 283-34, 9 March 1934; SBMNH 422369 [wet]. MEXICO, Baja California Norte (Pacific Coast) – 1 fragment; Isla Cedros, South Bay, on rock along margin of kelp bed, 28°04'45"N, 115°21'05"W, 18–27 m; coll. R/V ‘Velero III’, station 287-34, 10 March 1934; SBMNH 422363 [wet]. –2 colonies; Baja, 6.5 miles SW of Punta San Carlos, dredge–rocky bottom, 29°33'30"N, 115°35'28"W (end), 36 m; coll. R/V ‘Velero IV’, station 1944-50, 25 April 1950; SBMNH 422362 [wet]. MEXICO, Baja California Norte (Gulf of California) – 2 colonies; Roca Consag, 31°12'17"N, 114°33'39"W; coll. L Findley, 9 July 1973; Nos. 207/208, University of Arizona; SBMNH 422376 [wet]. MEXICO (Gulf of California) – 1 colony; Sonora, South of Isla Tiburon, sand, shell, 28°43'45"N, 112°17'50"W, 36 m; coll. R/V ‘Velero III’, 566-36, 11 March 1936; SBMNH 422384 [wet]. SOUTH AMERICA – 1 fragment; Ecuador, off Cape San Francisco, 00°37'10"N, 80°00'30"W, 27 m; coll. R/V ‘Velero III’, station 850-38, 23 February 1938; SBMNH 422427 [dry].

Other material examined. USA, California – San Diego County, La Jolla, Quast Rock, 21 m; coll. R Kiwala, by scuba, 7 April 1969; SIO/BIC CO 1600 [wet]. –San Diego County, La Jolla, Quast Rock, 20 m; coll. R Grigg, December 1967; SIO/BIC CO 1632. –San Diego County, La Jolla, Quast, 20 m; coll. unknown, October 1966; SIO/BIC CO 1641. –1 lot; San Diego County, Quast Rock, 65 feet; coll. unknown, 29 October 1965; SIO/BIC CO 1945 [wet]. –2 colonies/fragments; Orange County, just south and east of Huntington Beach, ~33°36'50"N, 117°59'13"W, 18 m; coll. OCSD, station T0, Haul 1, 29 February 2012 [wet]. –Los Angeles County, off San Clemente Island, 32°35'29"N, 118°19'02"W, near Station # 2, in restricted area, by SCUBA; coll. J Cooper, 11 June 1982; MLML C0110 [wet]. –colonies/fragments; Los Angeles County, Santa Catalina Island, just outside Blue Cavern Marine Protected Area, near “The Quarry,” ~33°25'53"N, 118°26'49"W, depth unknown; coll. Aquarium of the Pacific, Long Beach, early summer, 2010 [wet]. –Los Angeles County, Coast Station, Palos Verdes, off Marineland of the Pacific, 33°43'58"N, 118°25'12"W, 10–15 m; large boulders with sand between; coll. R Grigg, 7 January 1967; SIO/BIC CO 1596. MEXICO – Baja California Norte, Punta Banda, station 2 (no other data); 20 July 1968; SIOBIC CO 1943 “a1-a4”, and probably “b” as well.

All lots SIO/BIC CO 1860 – CO 1939; most of these lots probably this species, a few mixed in likely M.fruticosa, but no specific collection location data is readily available. In the “Limbaugh” Collection housed at NMNH, other collection locations could include: (USA) the Richfield Oil Island (Ventura County, ~10 miles south of Santa Barbara, California), Newport Bay (California), in the Huntington Beach Gas and Electric Steam Plant discharge pipe (California), and from Baja: Gulf of Punta Final, Turtle Bay and off Cape San Lucas. There are SIO/BIC CO 1943 and CO 1945, but these are not included in any official listing, and there appeared to be no data to go with the numbers.

Other material, not examined (but photographed) or examined/photographed (not collected) – 1 colony; N Pacific Ocean, USA, California, Los Angeles County, San Clemente, ~33°25'21"N, 117°37'22"W, on the beach; photographer A Nelson, det. EA Horvath; 1 March 2008. –1 colony; N Pacific Ocean, USA, California, Ventura California, Santa Barbara Channel Islands, Anacapa Island, ~34°00'19"N, 119°24'55"W, big tidal pool; photographer N Downend, det. EA Horvath; 14 April 2008.

Muriceaplantaginea (Valenciennes, 1846) [= M.appressa Verrill, 1864]

Material examined. ~4 lots. MEXICO, Baja California Sur (Pacific Coast) – 1 colony; Bahia de Santa Maria, 24°42'20"N, 112°14'10"W, 58 m; coll. R/V ‘Velero III’, station 760-38, 5 January 1938; SBMNH 422418; [dry]. –1 colony; Punta Asunción, 27°07'28"N, 114°17'48"W, 7 m; coll. RH McPeak, 15 October 1980; SBMNH 422417 [dry]. MEXICO, Baja California Norte (Gulf of California) –1 colony; Isla Partida, off White Rock, 28°55'30"N, 113°05'35"W, 82 m; coll. R/V ‘Velero III’, station 557-36, 8 March 1936; SBMNH 422416 [dry]. MEXICO (Gulf of California)

–1 colony; Sonora, Guaymas, Ensenada Carrizal, 27°52'12"N, 110°51'00"W; coll. P LaFollette; August 1960; SBMNH 422912 [DH 450 =SBMNH-34; Also: # 0413, and A339, dry].

Other material, not examined.USNM 52301 and USNM 52303 were both collected in the N Pacific, USA, California, Los Angeles County, off San Pedro; no other data given. A third, USNM 94678, may also be this form, as it is from the same collection location. Additionally, from the Limbaugh collection of specimens housed at NMNH, locations for possible examples of this species include: Baja California Sur (Cabo San Lucas; Cape San Lucas Canyon; Bahia de Los Angeles); Baja California Norte (an area near South Cedros Island; perhaps Punta Final and Turtle Bay) and USA, California, San Diego County, La Jolla (Scripps submarine canyon). Further sclerite examinations need to be made.

Muriceafruticosa Verrill, 1868

Material examined. ~14 lots. USA, California – 1 colony (fragmented); Orange County, Newport Channel, Balboa, shore collected on a –1.6 tide, 33°36'02"N, 117°52'50"W; coll. R/V ‘Velero III’, station 1224-41, 25 January 1941; SBMNH 422383 [wet]. –1 fragment (albino form or bleached–FG Hochberg); Los Angeles County, Santa Catalina Island, Salta Verde Point, 15 m, 33°19'00"N, 118°25'20–27"W; coll. R Given, 1 May 1967; SBMNH 422389 [wet]. –several colonies; Los Angeles County, Santa Catalina Island, Big Fisherman's Cove, 33°20'40"N, 118°29'07"W, 3 m; coll. R Setzer, 22 August 1968; SBMNH 422374 [wet]. –1 colony; Los Angeles County, Palos Verdes, east of Portuguese Bend, 33°43'00"N, 118°19'57"W, 15 m; coll. unknown, 6 November 1949; SBMNH 422428 [dry]. –1 colony; Los Angeles County, Long Beach, Long Beach Harbor, Back Channel, just east of Terminal Island, 33°45'41"N, 118°13'07"W, 7.6 m; coll. DB Cadien, rocky subtidal station I/S7, 31 March 1980; SBMNH 265945 [wet]. –1 fragment; Los Angeles County, Santa Monica Bay, ~33°56'07"N, 118°27'59"W; coll. Aquarium of the Pacific, Long Beach (for SBMNH Sea Center), early summer, 2010; SBMNH 265940 [wet]. –2 colonies (1 incomplete); Santa Barbara County, Santa Cruz Island, Smugglers Cove, 34°01'19"N, 119°32'31"W, 6 m; coll. B Scronce and party, 24 January 1963; SBMNH 422430 [DH 477 = SBMNH-31, dry]. –1 fragment; Santa Barbara County, Mohawk Reef, 34°23'40"N, 119°43'48"W, 4 m; coll. S Anderson, by hand, SCUBA, 01 November 1998; SBMNH 345325 [wet]. MEXICO, Baja California Sur (Pacific Coast) –1 colony; Escondido Bay area, Isla Danzante to Punta Candeleros, 25°47'15"N, 111°15'30"W; coll. R McPeak, 30 March 1981; SBMNH 422429; [dry]. –1 colony; 2 miles, 142° T from Thurloe Head, 27°35'45"N, 114°49'15"W, no depth reported; coll. R/V ‘Velero IV’, station 11842-67, 7 December 1967; SBMNH 422910; [wet]. –fragment; Scammons Lagoon, Isla Piedras, high littoral under flat sandstone, 27°46'00"N, 114°15'20"W; coll. W Williams on Kenyon-Williams Expeditions, station M12, 30 April 1946; SBMNH 422387 [wet]. MEXICO, Baja California Norte (Pacific Coast) – 1 colony; Baja, 6.5 miles SW of Punta San Carlos, dredge–rocky bottom, 29°33'30"N, 115°35'28"W (end), 36 m; coll. R/V ‘Velero IV’, 1944-50; 25 April 1950; SBMNH 422386 [wet]. MEXICO (Gulf of California) – 1 colony; Sonora, Guaymas, “Bahia de Conos” (El Carrisito), 27°52'00"N, 110°54'15"W, subtidal, less than 9 m, attached to rocks; coll. P LaFollette, 8-12 August 1960; SBMNH 422916 [DH 452 =SBMNH-36; ? 0336; ? A332, dry]. –1 colony/2 fragments; Sonora, Guaymas, “Bahia de Conos” (El Carrisito) 27°52'00"N, 110°54'15"W, less than 9 m, attached to rocks; coll. P LaFollette, 5–12 August 1960; SBMNH 422917 [DH 455 =SBMNH-39; ? A20; ? A332; ?0336, dry]. –4 colonies, 2 other fragments; Sonora, Guaymas, Ensenada Carrizal, 27°52'12"N, 110°51'00"W; coll. P LaFollette, 5–13 August 1960; SBMNH 422915 [DH 453 =SBMNH-37; ? PIL-A19; ? A332; ? 0335, dry].

Other material examined. USA, California – colony; Dana Point, N of, 33°32'41"N, 117°48'36"W, 48–53 m; coll. T Matsui, with otter trawl on R/V ‘Agassiz’, 29 March 1974; CO/SIO 1628 (M-15, OT-8) [wet/dry?]. –CO/SIO 1939 also identified as this species, but no other data could be found.

Placogorgia sp. A

Material examined. ~5 lots. USA, California – 1 colony, in fragments; Orange County, Oceanside, 33°10'29"N, 117°23'09"W, Station IP-B1046, caught in shark net, 138 m; coll. B Brophy, 1971; SBMNH 422969 [DH 844 = SBMNH-51; dry]. –multiple fragments; Los Angeles County, off Santa Monica, South Banks, 34°00'21"N, 118°29'57"W, 82–100 m; coll. Pacific BioMarine, commercial trawl, 10 October 1978; SBMNH 422970 [wet]. –1 colony fragment; Ventura County, California Channel Islands, NW edge of Hueneme Canyon, 34°02'20"N, 119°18'07"W, 145 m; coll. NMFS Dive 32, 23 September 2011; SBMNH 235579 [dry]. –fragment; Ventura County, California Channel Islands, slightly NE of East Anacapa, 34°02'20"N, 119°18'13"W, 140 m; coll. M Love from submersible ‘Delta’, 14 October 2005; with his number: A6689; SBMNH 422968 [wet]. MEXICO, Baja California Norte (Pacific Coast) – multiple fragments; 5.5 miles S of Islas San Benito, fine green sand, coarse grey sand, 28°13'18(55)” N, 115°33(35)’15(05)” W (end), 120–147 m; coll. R/V ‘Velero III’, station 1251-41, 26 February 1941; SBMNH 422966 [wet].

Other material examined – 1 piece; USA, California, Orange County, northern edge of San Gabriel Canyon, off Huntington Beach, trawl, ~33°33'49"N, 118°08'40"W, 113 m; coll. DB Cadien, EMAP Voucher, Survey SCBPP, southern California Bight, Station 1476 (ID by J Ljubenkov, not collected by MEC), 29 July 1994 [wet].

d04f5c4f-dae2-5be7-8fcd-629185ce2cd410.3897/zookeys.860.33597.figure42

Muriceaplantaginea (= Muriceaappressa), SBMNH 422909 (Ecuador) and SBMNH 422417 (Baja CA Sur). Image included for comparison between sclerites found in M.californica and those seen in M.plataginea [= M.appressa Breedy & Guzmán, 2016]. SEM image. A–FSBMNH 422909 (A–C); E–F Calycular/coenenchymal sclerites A Elongated, jagged spindles B Small torch-type C Rounded, stout torches D Shorter, jagged spindles (axial sheath) E Unilateral spinous spindle F A second unilateral spinous form tending to torch shape G–KSBMNH 422417 Calycular and coenenchymal sclerites G Fan-shaped sclerite H Large, truncated unilateral spinous spindles I Stout prickly spindle J Rounded, unilateral spinous type K Torch-types typical of M.californica. Compare sclerites A–F with those shown in Breedy and Guzmán 2016 (fig. 15, for M.plantaginea) and sclerites G–K with those shown in Breedy and Guzmán 2016 (fig. 21, for M.californica).

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