Revision of the genus Renilla Lamarck, 1816 (Octocorallia, Pennatulacea), with descriptions of two new species from the Sub-Antarctic region

Resumen

This study was made with samples from the SW Atlantic Ocean. Renilla octodentata n. sp. and Renilla musaica n. sp. are described. R. octodentata is characterized for the presence of eight calicinal teeth in its autozooids, the rhachis may be kidney-shaped or bilobulate-shaped and the length of the sclerites is uniform in the whole colony. R. musaica is characterized by the presence of five calicinal teeth in its autozooids, the rhachis may be horseshoe or kidney shaped, the medium dorsal tract free of zooids is lacking and the sclerites of the peduncle are short and wide while those of the rhachis are much longer and thinner. Renilla muelleri Kolliker, 1872 and Renilla reniformis (Pallas, 1766) are redescribed. The geographical and bathymetrical distnbution of the studied species is given.