Among the solitary corals, variation in morphology is an accepted thing, and the Caryophyllia are no exception. Gardiner (1939) has discussed some of the problems involved in species discrimination in this genus and his words of caution need not be repeated here. It is significant to note that in both species recorded here, the original description is deficient and the sample on which it was based is exceedingly small. Further, it is more than probable that the name is being applied too broadly in the case of Caryophyllia maculata.

Caryophyllia profunda Moseley, 1881. Plate 1, figures 8-11. Map symbol ϴ

1881.

Caryophyllia profunda Moseley, p. 138, Pl. 1, figs. 6, 6a, 6b.

Coralla are attached to the substrate, a rock, stem of another organism, or cables, by a broad flaring base. Coralla are usually bent, a reflection of upwardly directed growth. Specimens observed from New Zealand have a wide range in size, many juveniles being present. The largest specimens are about 25 millimeters in diameter across the calice and up to 50 millimeters high. Fully grown specimens have less than 96 septa and seldom more than 24 pali arranged in a single crown about the columella. The pali may be single, or in older specimens lobate. The columella is elongate and consists of a variable number of twisted ribbons.

A large number of small Caryophyllia were found in collections from Cook Strait and the southern fiords. As would be expected, the septal and palar numbers are much less and the form is less conspicuously that of Caryophyllia profunda. However, as in each instance these small specimens were associated with adult specimens it seems more than likely that they are immature forms.

Caryophyllia profunda is a member of the attached caryophyllids and is characterised by the possession of a tall expanding corallum, with the arrangement of septa in five complete or nearly complete cycles. Other similar growth forms are characterised by the possession of four or less cycles of septa. Relationships of some Indo-Pacific species within these groups was discussed by Squires (1958.)

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Moseley described Caryophyllia profunda from Nightingale Island, Tristan da Cunha Group, and it has been subsequently recorded from New Zealand (off Three Kings Islands) by Gardiner (1929). The species is also recorded from the Pleistocene of New Zealand.

Occurrence: Off Banks Peninsula, 44 ° 15′ S., 173° 13′ E. 80 fathoms. A single live specimen from a sandstone block.

Seventy yards from Parrot Island, Dusky Sound, Westland, 40 fathoms. Single live specimen.

Cook Strait, 40 fathoms, Single specimen, taken alive.

Off Mayor Island, 37° 20′ S., 176° 18′ E., 50 to 110 fathoms. One specimen taken alive, now badly smashed.

Colville Channell, Hauraki Gulf, 37 fathoms. Single specimen, taken alive.

Cook Strait. No depth. Single live specimen. (Auckland Museum.)

Cook Strait, 40-80 fathoms. Immature specimen.

Off Shelter Island, Doubtful Sound, Westland, 43 fathoms. Immature specimens, both live and dead.

Around Goal Island, Doubtful Sound, Westland, 50 fathoms. Six immature specimens both live and dead (Victoria University, Zoology Department Coral Collection.)

One hundred miles southwest of Cape Egmont, 170 fathoms. One live specimen taken from cable. (Auckland Museum, Coral Collection.)

Island Bay, Cook Strait, 100 fathoms. Many immature specimens both live and dead: Cook Strait. Deep water. One specimen taken alive from cable (Dominion Museum, Coral Collection.)

East of 44′ S., 130 fathoms. Chatham Island Expedition. Station 34. Immature specimens (Canterbury Museum, Coral Collection.)

Off Greymouth, Tasman Sea, 140 fathoms. Two live specimens (private collections.)

Distribution: Southern Ocean, New Zealand.

Caryophyllia cf. C. maculata (Pourtalès, 1874). Plate II, figures 1 & 2. Map symbol ʘ

1874.

Bathycyathus maculatus Pourtalès, p. 34, Pl. VI, figs. 5 & 6.

The corallum is a short squat column arising from a broad base of attachment. The calice is nearly circular and may be up to 35 millimeters in diameter. The height of the corallum is usually less than the maximum diameter of the calice. Septa number nearly 96 with about 24 pali present, arranged in a single conspicuous crown about the columella. The columella is much more conspicuous than in Caryophyllia profunda.

Caryophyllia maculata is poorly known, having been based upon specimens from Brazil which differ greatly from the specimens at hand, but seem to be quite similar to the specimens assigned to that species recorded, but poorly described, from the Kermadec Islands by Moseley (1881.) Probabilities are high that the identity of the New Zealand specimens with those from Brazilian waters is incorrect, but the materials at hand are not sufficent for the establishment of a new species.

The difference between these specimens and Caryophyllia profunda are demonstrated by the shape of the corallum and the character of the ornamentation of the exterior of C. maculata, which is much coarser than that of C. profunda.

Occurrence: Cook Strait. No depth. Two specimens taken alive. (Dominion Museum, Coral Collection.)