Additions in relation to Gerardiidae from the Macaronesian waters and the Mediterranean Sea (Anthozoa: Zoantharia)

Abstract

Studies focused on new material collected in Canary Islands find out the presence of the species Gerardia (=Savalia) savaglia (Anthozoa: Zoantharia) in Macaronesian waters. This species is able to form populations of numerous colonies growing from its own skeleton. The presence of both species Gerardia (Savalia) savaglia and Gerardia (=Savalia) macaronesica (see Ocaña & Brito, 2004) in Macaronesian waters putting an end to the confusion regarding the parasitic species able to generate their own horny skeleton. We recognize Gerardia (=Savalia) savaglia on the base of the morphology and the cnidome proving that these characters are useful tools to distinguish species of zoantharia