Solmaris flavofinis

Description: Bell diameter 8 - 9 mm, height ~ 4 - 5 mm, lower part shaped somewhat conical, upper part less steep, with small, rounded apical projection (Fig. 56 C); lower third of bell composed of 8 to 11 rectangular lappets (Fig. 56 A-F), 1 - 2 statocysts per lappet (Fig. 56 E). Stomach large, 2 / 3 of bell diameter, flat, without gastric pockets, no peripheral canals. Gonad tissue developing on periphery of oral side of stomach (Fig. 56 A, B, F), only females unambiguously identified, forming up to 8 very large oocytes (Fig. 56 B), often but not always in perradial position, size estimate ~ 0.7 mm, flattened lentil-shaped, well visible germinal vesicle (nucleus). 8 to 11 thin tentacles, issuing in about 1 / 3 of bell height, held upward (Fig. 56 C) or downward (Fig. 56 A), rather stiff, but able to move and even to coil (Fig. 56 F), evenly tapering to tip, length about two bell diameters, root short (Fig. 56 G). Below tentacles no exumbrellar furrows, but thin peronia delimiting the lappets. Statocysts bipartite, with inverted cone as base and spherical end with statocysts (Fig. 56 H). Colour: colourless except for yellow tentacle tips (Fig. 56 A, D). 16 S Data: See Table 1 and Fig. 48. The p-distance to S. corona was very high (32 %).

Fig. 56 A-H

Remarks: The combination of the traits tentacle number (9 - 11), size (8 - 9 mm), and shape of the marginal lobes did not fit any of the known and accepted Solmaris species listed in Bouillon et al. (1991). Both the 16 S and the morphological traits varied only in a relatively narrow range and we are convinced that these medusae represent a distinct species. The species resembling S. flavifinis most closely is the Mediterranean Solmaris flavescens (Kölliker, 1853) (for a good description see Mayer, 1910: 434, figs 284 - 286). Solmaris flavescens differs in being considerably larger (diameter 15 - 23 mm) and has more tentacles (usually 13 - 15, exceptionally 12 or 17). While the yellow tentacle tips of S. flavifinis permitted distinguishing it immediately from the co-occurring S. corona (see above), this is not a diagnostic trait because it is shared with S. flavescens (Kölliker, 1853: 322; Gegenbaur, 1857: 264; Metchnikoff, 1886: 19 [257]). Another trait shared with S. flavescens is the large size of the oocytes, but several other Narcomedusae also have such large eggs (see table 4 in Bouillon, 1987).

Etymology: The specific epithet is derived from the Latin words flavus (yellow) and finis (end), an allusion to the yellow tentacle tips.

Holotype: BFLA 4068, 10 - APR- 2019; size 9 mm, mature female, 9 tentacles; part preserved in formalin and deposited as UF- 013779 (damaged), small part preserved in alcohol for DNA extraction (MHNG- INVE- 0137376); 16 S sequence MW 528665. Paratype: BFLA 4273; 04 - DEC- 2019; size 9 mm, 8 tentacles; preserved in formalin and deposited as UF- 013841. Other material: BFLA 4243; 1 specimen; 11 - NOV- 2019; size 9 mm, 11 tentacles; preserved in alcohol for DNA extraction; 16 S sequence identical to MW 528665. – BFLA 4250; 1 specimen; 23 - NOV- 2019; size 8 mm, 10 tentacles, mature female; preserved in alcohol for DNA extraction; 16 S sequence MW 528693.