A REVIEW OF THE JAPANESE SPECIES OF ALCYONIUM, WITH DESCRIPTIONS OF TWO NEW SPECIES AND AN ALMOST FORGOTTEN RARE SPECIES (OCTOCORALLIA, ALCYONACEA)

Abstract

Among the monomorphic genus Alcyonium Linne found in Japanese waters, two new species, A. robustum and A. okinawanum, are described and a longtime forgotten rare species from Sagami Bay is redescribed, newly referring to the Mediterranean species A. acaule Marion. In addition, all the previously recorded species from Japanese waters under the name of Alcyonium are reviewed, with the emendation of their generic status.