Sinularia mesophotica

Diagnosis. The holotype is part of an encrusting colony with a thin, funnel-shaped polypary, also featuring a curly margin (Fig. 1 A). In a side-view its maximum dimensions are 5 x 2.5 cm. Polyps with tentacle rods and collaret sclerites (Fig. 2 A-C). Tentacle rods up to 0.10 mm long (Fig. 2 A). Collaret consists of almost straight spindles, up to 0.20 mm long (Fig. 2 B), and shorter bent ones, up to 0.14 mm long (Fig. 2 C). Surface layer of the polypary with clubs (Fig. 2 D), some featuring a central wart, while in others it is less discernible, or even absent. Clubs vary from 0.10 mm long to 0.25 mm long, and a few with poorly developed heads attain 0.27 mm (Fig. 2 E). Surface layer of the colony base contains clubs up to 0.22 mm; some similar to those of polypary, and others have wide heads (Fig. 3 A). Polypary and base interior bear spindles, some branched, up to 3.2 mm long (Fig. 3 B), with well-spaced simple tubercles (Fig. 3 C).

Etymology. The new species name reflects its mesophotic habitat.